Alternative Treatment for Arthritis

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Alternative Treatment for Arthritis

2/15/2006 8:11:00 PM

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.

 

“If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about other people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. Remember St. Aloysius, who said he would continue to play billiards even if he knew he was going to die. Do you play well? Sleep well? Eat well? These are duties. Nothing is small for God.”

~ Mother Theresa20th century humanitarian

 

 

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