A Magazine of People and
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Now Celebrating 17 Years In Print and 11 Years Online!
Arthritis
by Dr. Raj Rakhra
Arthritis is a disease that causes the inflammation
of joints that surround the ligament and cartilage in many areas
of the body. The word Arthritis simply means joint inflammation
(arth meaning joint, and ritis meaning inflammation). The joints
are covered by a material known as Cartilage, which is comprised
of a tough but flexible connective tissue. This tissue allows
the unobstructed and smooth movement in the joint and is surrounded
by a synovial membrane, which produces fluid to keep the joint
lubricated. In addition, these joints are also surrounded by another
fibrous tissue called Ligaments. Ligaments are strong, dense structures
made of connective tissue that stabilize the joint and connect
bones together across joints.
According to the National Institute of Health, Arthritis is a
condition in which sufferers may feel symptoms of slight pain,
stiffness and swelling of the joints to severe cases of crippling
and disability. Arthritis affects people of all ages, and millions
of people suffer from some form of Arthritis. This medical condition
has commonly been believed to be incurable, and the standard medical
response has been simply to prescribe medication to reduce the
symptoms. Today, substantial evidence has shown that the pain
and disability caused by arthritis can be alleviated and even
prevented through diet, nutritional supplementation, stress reduction
and other Naturopathic and alternative therapies.
There are a variety of arthritic conditions with three most common
forms being Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout.
Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease affects
millions of people. More than fifty percent of people older than
sixty five have Osteoarthritis to varying degrees. Of this fifty
percent, seventy five percent of them are women, many who have
had a family history of the disease. Wear and tear in the cartilage
of a joint is the key principal of this disease. With age, cartilage
loses its elasticity, and the surface of it becomes rough losing
its cushioning effect. This break down of the cartilage causes
the lining in a joint to become inflamed. Injury to the joint
as well as, excess weight, a life time of inadequate diet and
nutrition, hormones and genetic factors are many other causes
of Osteoarthritis.
Signs and symptoms of Osteoarthritis include: joint pain, stiffness,
development of lumps on the fingers, joints or around the knee
area.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is classified as an auto
immune disease in which the body attacks its own tissue. The primary
cause in most Rheumatoid arthritis is suspected to be a delayed
food allergy and the related problem of abnormal permeability
of the intestinal wall. This allows undigested food particles
to pass through the walls of the digestive tract and into the
blood stream. If not cleared, they are eventually deposited in
the tissue. There they can cause an inflammatory reaction and
because the body is allergic to the deposited food particles,
an autoimmune disturbance takes place in which the body's own
immune system begins to attack the tissue around the joints.
Other causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis include genetic susceptibility,
life style factors, nutritional factors, food allergies, bacterial,
viral and fungal infections, as well as an association with abnormal
bowel functions.
The onset of the Rheumatoid Arthritis is usually gradual, but
some times quite abrupt with a low grade fever, weakness, joint
stiffness, joint pain, and swollen joints. Several joints are
involved in the onset; typically in symmetrical fashion either
both hands, both wrists or both ankles. Involved joints are quite
warm, tender and swollen. As the disease progresses joint deformities
usually result in the hands and feet.
Diagnosing methods include checking the Erythrocyte Sedimentation
Rate (ESR), which may indicate inflammatory conditions, anemia,
serum protein abnormalities and antibodies to altered immunoglobulin.
Examination of the joint fluid usually reflects the degree of
inflammation. Xray findings of soft tissue swelling, erosion of
cartilage and narrowness of the joint may also be visible.
Gout:
Gout is a common type of Arthritis caused by an increased concentration
of uric acid, (which is a final break down product of purine metabolism)
in biological fluids. Increased production or decreased elimination
may be the result of enzyme defects, metabolic defects, chronic
anemia, kidney disease or other complex conditions. Diets rich
in protein, fat, alcohol and organ meats may not be the primary
cause, but it definitely plays some part, as these substances
inhibit uric acid secretion by the kidneys. The first attack of
gout is characterized by intense pain usually involving only one
joint, with the big toe commonly being involved in the majority
of cases. If an attack progresses, fever and chills usually appear.
The first attack often usually occurs at night and there is usually
a history of dietary excesses, alcohol ingestion, trauma, certain
drugs or surgery involved. Pain also becomes very intense and
some form of kidney dysfunction may occur in patients leading
to a higher risk of kidney stones.
Treatment and prevention of Arthritis:
The primary keys for treating and preventing arthritis are: Proper
diet and nutrition. · Detoxification and stress reduction.·
Special care should be taken to avoid substances that might cause
allergies in the body.· Pain management and correction
of skeletal, postural problems can be addressed through a variety
of other modalities including Naturopathic, Acupuncture and Ayurvedic
Medicine.· Proper diet and nutrition are believed to be
the key elements in the prevention of all types of diseases including
Arthritis.· The most important step in treating Arthritis
is achieving a normal body weight.· Eliminating or reducing
the consumption of alcohol. · Liberal consumption of complex
carbohydrates. ·Low fat and protein intake.· Liberal
fluid intake.
Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis have benefited from fasting
which helps reduce allergic food consumption. Fasting should be
done under the care of a Naturopathic physician.
Other Nutritional considerations include: EPA, Selenium, Vitamin
E, Zinc, Manganese, Vitamin C, Betaine HCL, Protolytic enzymes,
Flavonoids, Niacinamide, trytophan, Copper asprinate, MSM, Glucosaminesulfate,
and Chondritinesulfate. Many more supplements are available.
Botanical medicine include: Fever few, Devil's Claw, Blueberries
(provide a rich source of flavenoids) Boswellia, another product
for arthritis and anti inflammatory.
We in our office use Y.R guggulu, an Ayurvedic product which is
an anti inflammatory, reduces cholesterol and helps support thyroid
function.
Curcumin, Ginger and Colchicine as well as many other products
are available for arthritis from Naturopathic and or Ayurvedic
Doctors.
Vitamin C, Magnesium, Calcium, Traumeel, EDTA Chelation and other
products may be used intravenously to relive arthritic pains and
inflammation. These modalities are routinely used by our office
with great results. In the absence of Vioxx, Celebrex and other
Cox-2 inhibitors which have been taken out of the market due to
their negative side effects, we have had numerous patients calling
our office for an alternative care and most of them are very happy
with the outcome.
For an appointment or any questions
please call our office and we will be happy to provide the service.
Dr. Rakhra's clinic is
located at 121 - 14 Street North West in Calgary, Alberta.
He may be reached at: 403-270-7033.
See display ad in this issue for more information.
Visit his webiste at: www.aynh.com
A Magazine of People and Possibilities
Now Celebrating 17 Years In Print and 11 Years Online!