IMMUNITION™ Report©
Volume III, No. 3 by Frank Jordan
Read an important Health Treatment Notice about personal health issues.
Arthritis – Joint Inflammation and Pain –
What Can Be Done Naturally and Nutritionally
What is Arthritis? What are Common Causes?
The literal meaning of Arthritis is “joint inflammation.” But Arthritis is a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases with general symptoms of pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Arthritis can also affect muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments, in addition to some internal organs. Arthritis is usually an allergic reaction to foods and substances in the environment, influenced by individual genetic weaknesses.
Today 43 million Americans are affected by Arthritis and arthritic pain. Based on predictions of population growth, by 2020 an estimated 60 million Americans will have some form of Arthritis.
Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis symptoms include the following:
· Persistent joint pain
· Joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and or warmth
· Pain or tenderness in a joint which gets worse by movement or activity including walking, typing or house keeping
· Loss of flexibility or range of motion in a joint
· Joint deformity
· Weight loss
· Fatigue
· Non-specific fever
· Cracking noise the arthritic joints make upon movement (Crepitus)
Those with any or several of the symptoms listed could have Arthritis and should be examined and tested by a physician.
Arthritis Takes Many Forms with Common Traits and Distinctive Differences
Most people are familiar with the names Rheumatoid and OsteoArthritis, but did you know Fibromyalgia and Gout are forms of Arthritis? Another you may not know about is Ankylosing Spondylitis. A brief explanation of each Arthritis form follows.
Ankylosing Spondylitis:
Ankylosing Spondylitis primarily affects the spine, but it may also cause Arthritis in the hips, shoulders and knees. The tendons and ligaments around the bones and joints in the spine become inflamed. Symptoms include pain and stiffness, especially in the lower back. Ankylosing Spondylitis onset is usually in young men.
Bursitis:
Bursitis is characterized by Inflammation of the bursae which are small, fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between bones and other moving structures in joints. The inflammation may result from Arthritis in the joint, or from injury or infection of the bursae. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, and limited movement of the involved joint. Rest and ice packs help most.
Fibromyalgia:
Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome associated with pain and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move
the bones and joints. Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles and tendons, particularly those of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. Other common symptoms include widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Gout:
Gout results from deposits of needle-like crystals of uric acid in the connective tissue near joints and/or in the joint space. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joint, often the big toe. Gout is also associated with kidney stones.
Infectious Arthritis:
In some cases, Arthritis can develop as part of a bacterial or viral infection. If a bacterial infection, early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics may relieve the Arthritis symptoms.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic condition causing inflammation in one or more joints and begins before
the age of 16. JRA is the most common form of Arthritis in children. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss
of function in the joints. The Arthritis may be associated with rashes or fevers and it may affect other parts of the body.
OsteoArthritis:
OsteoArthritis affects more than 20 million Americans. It begins with the breakdown of cartilage in the joints from overuse and aging, resulting in joint pain and stiffness.
Psoriatic Arthritis:
Psoriatic Arthritis occurs in some patients with psoriasis, a common scaling skin disorder. Psoriatic Arthritis often affects the joints at the ends of the fingers and causes changes in the fingernails and toenails.
Reactive Arthritis:
Reactive Arthritis can develop after an infection of the lower urinary tract, intestines, or other organs. Reactive Arthritis is commonly associated with eye problems, skin rashes, and mouth sores.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An estimated 2.1 million people, about 1% of all
American adults, have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis involves inflammation of the lining of many different joints in your body. In some people, Rheumatoid Arthritis can also affect other parts of the body, including the blood, the lungs, and the heart.
Inflammation of the joint lining, called the synovium, can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness. The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in loss of normal movement. Rheumatoid Arthritis can be chronic with reoccurring flare-ups and remissions.
Tendinitis or Tendonitis:
Tendinitis refers to inflammation of tendons, the tough cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone, and is caused by overuse, injury, or Arthritis-producing conditions. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, and restricted movement of nearby joints.
What Causes Arthritis’ Pain?
The pain of Arthritis is believed to come from inflammation of the synovial membrane – tissue that lines the joints, the tendons, or the ligaments; muscle strain; and fatigue. Arthritic pain also is derived from the friction of bone rubbing on bone without cartilage for cushioning. If these factors are combined, Arthritic pain is intensified and often constant unless relieved.
Arthritic pain is most common after prolonged use of the affected joint(s) and/or immediately after awaking when motion is reinstituted. Most forms of Arthritis are associated with pain divided into the categories of acute, which is temporary, or chronic, the latter occurring for extended periods of time.
Pain is the body’s warning system, alerting you that something is wrong. Specialized nervous system cells called neurons transmit pain signals and are found throughout the skin and other body tissues. These neurons respond to stimulations such as inflammation, injury or tissue damage.
What Influences the Onset of Arthritis?
Various risk factors determine who gets Arthritis, such as:
Age: Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability among adults 18 years of age and older.
Gender and Genetics: Arthritis occurs more frequently in women than men and can be genetically inherited in families in some forms.
Obesity: Being overweight increases the chances of having OsteoArthritis, particularly for women.
Allergies: Food and other allergic reactions cause arthritic conditions.
Work factors: Work-related repetitive injury and physical trauma contribute.
Environmental Toxicity: Toxins enter the bloodstream causing autotoxemia that can often lead to Arthritis.
How to Cope with Arthritis
A positive attitude and humor can make you feel better, plus appropriate exercise is essential. Far infrared saunas, physical therapy, chelation, chiropractic care, relaxation therapies including deep breathing, meditation and biofeedback are positive. Pain management techniques such as acupuncture, massage and topical lotions are very beneficial and give at minimum temporary relief for many suffering from Arthritis.
A nourishing diet, drinking ample water and sufficient rest and sleep also help in coping with Arthritis pain. Avoid or minimize factors making pain worse, including worsening of an underlying condition, stress, overdoing physical activity, undue focus on pain, fatigue and anxiety that often leads to debilitating depression.
Natural and Nutritional Aids for Joint Wellness
The following natural and nutritional nutrients, vitamins and supplements are suggested, subject to health care professional review in individual situations.
Acquire a compound formula of dietary ingredients that seek to nutritionally assist with Vitamin C, Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin, MSM sulphur, Colostrum, DLPA, Niacinamide for range of motion, Magnesium, Green Lipid Powder, Pantothenic Acid for gout, Yucca, Zinc and microparticulate (MG) Beta Glucan to remove toxins and cellular debris. Glucosamine nutritionally aids repair of joint, cartilage and tissue damage. Chondroitin sulfate holds together cartilage, allowing collagen proteins to form actual tissue, thus minimizing Arthritis damage and stimulating repair. Colostrum relieves sore, swollen and stiff joints. DLPA and Green Lipid Powder are anti-inflammatories with the ability to contribute to sore joint pain relief.
Antioxidant vitamins A from beta carotene, C and E (400 IU) help counter inflammation and minimize free radical damage to joints. Vitamin A or Beta Carotene taken each day helps reduce pain, with up to 20,000 IU suggested. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for joint and cartilage repair, especially when taken in combination with Glucosamine in the NSC IMMUNITION Joint and Tissue Formula.
Take Fish Oil including EPA and DHA up to 2,000 mg daily as an essential fatty acid acting as an anti-inflammatory. One Borage oil capsule provides the needed 240 mg of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). Boswellia is an anti-inflammatory herb with 600-800 milligrams daily in a standardized extract and Curcumin of 1,200 mg daily in divided doses suggested. Alfalfa is rich in chlorophyll to purify the blood and eliminate uric acid. Aloe Vera also rids toxins contributing to pain and inflammation. OPC Grape Seed Extract – 300 mg daily also.
Utilize Bromelain to reduce inflammation as a nutritional supplement with 2,000 mg daily in divided doses on an empty stomach 20 minutes before a meal. DHEA, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, is nutritionally helpful. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that inhibits cell degranulation that is needed where rheumatoid arthritis has increased levels of mast cells in synovial membranes and fluids, with 600 mg a day suggested. Capsaicin cream from cayenne is often helpful by increasing circulation in the joints and aiding in pain management.
Another aid unknown to most is to purchase one of the infrared pointers with the red dot beam utilized in presentations and sold by office supply stores. Place the red dot beam directly on the arthritic area for 4-10 minutes and get a poor-man’s infrared treatment usually costing a fortune in a trendy spa!
Cetyl myristolaeate (CMO), and sea cucumber aid repair and pain relief. Traumeel is a beneficial natural anti-inflammatory cream to homeopathically aid in pain management. Kyolic Aged Garlic is suggested for natural inflammation control.
Avoid dairy, salt, red meat, caffeine, sugar and nightshade vegetables including eggplant, tomatoes, white potatoes, etc which interfere with muscle enzymes. Eat sulfur-containing foods such as asparagus, eggs, garlic, green leafy vegetables, deep-sea fish, blue berries and fiber.
Arthritis may not be curable in most circumstances, but symptoms and pain can be minimized and controlled for the majority to live a normal and fulfilling life.
About the Author: Frank Jordan has a post-graduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is a co-patent holder on U.S. patents issued or in application related to the immune response in conjunction with researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Dept. of Microbiology. Learn more about Frank Jordan on the web at www.frankjordan.com .
The statements in this Report have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease unless designated as a drug or pharmaceutical.
- Read this Important Health Treatment Notice
- This IMMUNITION REPORTS website (www.immunitionreports.com) is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered; however, this website is not intended to be a substitute for a professional consultation with a physician or a qualified health care provider or to offer medical or related professional advice. Frank Jordan is a health professional but not a licensed physician or medical doctor. Frank Jordan, contributing authors or employees or independent contractors, specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, that is or may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information contained on this website nor are they to be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this website.You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Questions pertaining to nutritional intervention for the prevention or treatment of a disease cannot be answered. Questions oriented to prescribing or diagnosing an illness are best addressed by your personal healthcare practitioner.
If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your personal health care provider. In the event the visitor to this website desires to obtain specific medical advice or other information concerning a specific person, condition or situation, the services of a competent health care professional should be sought and utilized. If you have any medical condition or are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, consult your medical professional before beginning any new conventional or alternative therapy or discontinuing the medication or treatment you are currently receiving.
Information and statements regarding dietary supplements or other products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease.
-