Alternative Treatment for Arthritis
Of the 66 million Americans who suffer from arthritis or chronic joint pain, many are now searching for alternatives to help ease their pain.
Recent research has exposed some popular pain-relieving drugs to have negative cardiovascular side effects. Some of these drugs have even been taken off the market.
Arthritis sufferers may still rely on common prescription and over the counter pain relievers, but they are taking the threat of negative side effects more seriously. Many are now cutting back on drugs and taking a comprehensive approach to ease their pain by including dietary supplements, herbs and complementary therapies.
There are more than one hundred different types of arthritis. All forms can cause pain in and around the joints, but other parts of the body may be affected as well. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are probably the most well known forms of the disease, but gout, lupus and _fibromyalgia_
(http://www.livingnaturally.com/common/adam/DisplayMonograph.asp?storeID=D9339NK282S92NV70
0AKHLBD3LHF7NV2&name=ConsConditions_Fibromyalgiacc)are also considered to be forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, also known as wear and tear arthritis, is the most common form. The cartilage that covers the ends of the bones at the joint and normally provides a cushion begins to deteriorate. Eventually the bones begin to rub against each other which cause pain and stiffness. Although the cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, risk factors include advancing age, obesity,
overuse and family history.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system begins to attack itself. In this case, the lining of the joints is affected. As a result the joints can become inflamed which may lead to damage, chronic pain and disability. Studies have shown that early and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can help reduce damage, thus reducing the chance of permanent disability.
Drugs
The most common over-the-counter drugs used for treating arthritis-related pain are the NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and aspirin. They work by blocking hormone-like compounds that contribute to pain and inflammation.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) does not reduce inflammation, but it does ease pain and is more gentle on the stomach. NSAIDs do raise the risk of stomach ulcers because in addition to blocking the compounds that cause pain and inflammation, they also block compounds that help protect the lining of the stomach.
Other side effects of NSAIDS include increased bleeding or bruising and potential kidney and liver problems. With the exception of aspirin, over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs have also been found to increase the risk of heart
attack and strokes.
The FDA has recently issued a _public health advisory_ (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/nsaids.htm)regarding NSAID use and has asked NSAID manufacturers to include this information on their labels.
The once popular prescription drugs Vioxx, Bextra, and Celebrex are special COX-2 inhibitors. These drugs provide the benefits of easing inflammation without the negative GI side effects.
Unfortunately, after these drugs had been on the market it was discovered that they can greatly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers have estimated that Vioxx may have been caused 88,000 to 140,000 excess cases of serious heart disease. Bextra and Vioxx are now off the market and Celebrex comes with some hefty health warnings.
Dietary Supplements and Herbs
Many arthritis sufferers have started to incorporate the use of dietary supplements in their arsenal against pain.
MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in small amounts in our bodies and in many foods. There have only been a few small short term clinical trials that have studied supplemental MSM for arthritis use. These preliminary studies do suggest MSM may help ease some pain and swelling, but more studies are needed to determine if it is safe for long term use.
SAMe, short for S-adenosylmethionine, has been shown to be as effective at relieving pain as some NSAIDS including the prescription COX-2 drug Celebrex but with fewer harmful side effects. It does take a little longer to see results, possibly up to a month.
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammatory symptoms and reduce the amount of medications needed in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Up to 2800 mg of fish oil per day (including EPA and DHA) may be needed to see results. Some herbal options include the common spice ginger, which has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for centuries as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Willow bark contains salicylic acid, a natural form of aspirin, but with fewer side effects than the synthetic form.
Capsaicin which is derived from chili peppers, can be applied topically to temporarily ease pain related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Diet
Simple diet changes may help lessen the severity of arthritis. The diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and healthy fats from fish, olive oil, avocados and nuts. These foods can help reduce the inflammatory response.
Foods high in saturated fats and refined sugars tend to promote inflammation. Pro-inflammatory foods to avoid include fatty cuts of red meat, fried foods, snacks containing partially hydrogenated oils, margarine, butter, high sugar foods and foods containing refined flour.
With the help of a nutritionist, one can even try to uncover hidden food allergies or intolerances that may make arthritis worse. Common allergenic foods include wheat, dairy and soy.
Anecdotal reports suggest avoiding vegetables in the nightshade family including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants can help.
They contain the compound solanine which some believe may trigger arthritis in certain people. Finally, losing extra weight that stresses the joints can help ease pain and may reduce the risk of developing arthritis in the first place.
Complementary Therapies
Massage therapy can help boost feel good endorphins to ease pain. The Arthritis Foundation recommends finding an experienced therapist who has worked on people with arthritis before as some aspects of massage may not be suitable for people with arthritis.
Acupuncture is quickly becoming a popular way to treat pain. This ancient Chinese therapy uses thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body. Studies suggest the needles help release
endorphins and may have an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition to these complementary therapies, chiropractic care, tai chi and physical therapy can also play a role in achieving wellness when living with arthritis.
References:
_Arthritis Foundation_ (http://www.arthritis.org/)
_The Mayo Clinic_ (http://www.mayoclinic.com/)
Inflammation, Pain, and Chronic Disease: An Integrative Approach to
Treatment and Prevention. Alternative Therapies, Nov/Dec 2005, Vol 11,
no.
Of the 66 million Americans who suffer from arthritis or chronic joint pain, many are now searching for alternatives to help ease their pain.
Recent research has exposed some popular pain-relieving drugs to have negative cardiovascular side effects. Some of these drugs have even been taken off the market.
Arthritis sufferers may still rely on common prescription and over the counter pain relievers, but they are taking the threat of negative side effects more seriously. Many are now cutting back on drugs and taking a comprehensive approach to ease their pain by including dietary supplements, herbs and complementary therapies.
There are more than one hundred different types of arthritis. All forms can cause pain in and around the joints, but other parts of the body may be affected as well. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are probably the most well known forms of the disease, but gout, lupus and _fibromyalgia_
(http://www.livingnaturally.com/common/adam/DisplayMonograph.asp?storeID=D9339NK282S92NV70
0AKHLBD3LHF7NV2&name=ConsConditions_Fibromyalgiacc)are also considered to be forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, also known as wear and tear arthritis, is the most common form. The cartilage that covers the ends of the bones at the joint and normally provides a cushion begins to deteriorate. Eventually the bones begin to rub against each other which cause pain and stiffness. Although the cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, risk factors include advancing age, obesity,
overuse and family history.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system begins to attack itself. In this case, the lining of the joints is affected. As a result the joints can become inflamed which may lead to damage, chronic pain and disability. Studies have shown that early and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can help reduce damage, thus reducing the chance of permanent disability.
Drugs
The most common over-the-counter drugs used for treating arthritis-related pain are the NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and aspirin. They work by blocking hormone-like compounds that contribute to pain and inflammation.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) does not reduce inflammation, but it does ease pain and is more gentle on the stomach. NSAIDs do raise the risk of stomach ulcers because in addition to blocking the compounds that cause pain and inflammation, they also block compounds that help protect the lining of the stomach.
Other side effects of NSAIDS include increased bleeding or bruising and potential kidney and liver problems. With the exception of aspirin, over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs have also been found to increase the risk of heart
attack and strokes.
The FDA has recently issued a _public health advisory_ (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/nsaids.htm)regarding NSAID use and has asked NSAID manufacturers to include this information on their labels.
The once popular prescription drugs Vioxx, Bextra, and Celebrex are special COX-2 inhibitors. These drugs provide the benefits of easing inflammation without the negative GI side effects.
Unfortunately, after these drugs had been on the market it was discovered that they can greatly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers have estimated that Vioxx may have been caused 88,000 to 140,000 excess cases of serious heart disease. Bextra and Vioxx are now off the market and Celebrex comes with some hefty health warnings.
Dietary Supplements and Herbs
Many arthritis sufferers have started to incorporate the use of dietary supplements in their arsenal against pain.
MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in small amounts in our bodies and in many foods. There have only been a few small short term clinical trials that have studied supplemental MSM for arthritis use. These preliminary studies do suggest MSM may help ease some pain and swelling, but more studies are needed to determine if it is safe for long term use.
SAMe, short for S-adenosylmethionine, has been shown to be as effective at relieving pain as some NSAIDS including the prescription COX-2 drug Celebrex but with fewer harmful side effects. It does take a little longer to see results, possibly up to a month.
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammatory symptoms and reduce the amount of medications needed in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Up to 2800 mg of fish oil per day (including EPA and DHA) may be needed to see results. Some herbal options include the common spice ginger, which has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for centuries as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Willow bark contains salicylic acid, a natural form of aspirin, but with fewer side effects than the synthetic form.
Capsaicin which is derived from chili peppers, can be applied topically to temporarily ease pain related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Diet
Simple diet changes may help lessen the severity of arthritis. The diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and healthy fats from fish, olive oil, avocados and nuts. These foods can help reduce the inflammatory response.
Foods high in saturated fats and refined sugars tend to promote inflammation. Pro-inflammatory foods to avoid include fatty cuts of red meat, fried foods, snacks containing partially hydrogenated oils, margarine, butter, high sugar foods and foods containing refined flour.
With the help of a nutritionist, one can even try to uncover hidden food allergies or intolerances that may make arthritis worse. Common allergenic foods include wheat, dairy and soy.
Anecdotal reports suggest avoiding vegetables in the nightshade family including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants can help.
They contain the compound solanine which some believe may trigger arthritis in certain people. Finally, losing extra weight that stresses the joints can help ease pain and may reduce the risk of developing arthritis in the first place.
Complementary Therapies
Massage therapy can help boost feel good endorphins to ease pain. The Arthritis Foundation recommends finding an experienced therapist who has worked on people with arthritis before as some aspects of massage may not be suitable for people with arthritis.
Acupuncture is quickly becoming a popular way to treat pain. This ancient Chinese therapy uses thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body. Studies suggest the needles help release
endorphins and may have an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition to these complementary therapies, chiropractic care, tai chi and physical therapy can also play a role in achieving wellness when living with arthritis.
References:
_Arthritis Foundation_ (http://www.arthritis.org/)
_The Mayo Clinic_ (http://www.mayoclinic.com/)
Inflammation, Pain, and Chronic Disease: An Integrative Approach to
Treatment and Prevention. Alternative Therapies, Nov/Dec 2005, Vol 11,
no.
