Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 12 percent of the population. It wears away the cartilage, the tissue in the joints to prevent the bones from rubbing together. As the cartilage wears away it causes both pain and stiffness in the joint. Osteoarthritis most often occurs in the spine, hips, knees and hands. The degree of seriousness ranges from mild to debilitating, making each patient unique.

While there is no way to cure osteoarthritis, there are ways to make living with the disease more manageable as well as methods to prevent getting the disease in the first place. While your doctor may prescribe you medication, there are measures you can take yourself.

There is no better way to make life with osteoarthritis more manageable than staying in shape. Being overweight puts more stress on your already painful joints. Eating a healthier diet and regular exercise will help you attain your ideal weight. Reduce sugar and processed foods. Consult your doctor on how to safely and effectively reach your goal.

Exercise is important not just to reach a healthy weight. It is also vital in maintaining strength and movement in the affected joint or joints, through a combination of aerobics and strength-building. Aerobic exercise - like swimming or walking and other mild cardio - keeps your heart healthy and your cardiovascular system at peak performance. Try to incorporate exercise that works the affected joint, to increase limberness. Activities like weight lifting strengthen the muscles around the affected joints, but be sure not to overexert yourself.

Heat and cold has been long used as an effective pain reliever. Use heat in the mornings or before you go to bed, to increase blood flow, which eases discomfort. Do not apply it to a joint when it is sore though, as it will only exacerbate the problem. Instead, use a cold pack during times of pain, to relieve pain.

Acetaminophen, a mild over the counter pain killer, is enough in some mild cases of osteoarthritis, without your doctor having to prescribe a stronger medication that may induce side effects. If you are prescribed a stronger medication, educate yourself of side effects, and report to your doctor if you experience any. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any medication you are currently taking. As with any illness, be sure to cut out smoking, drinking, and any other habits that negatively impact your health.

Also, try to include more Omega-3 in your diet, which is an anti-inflammatory. The best source of Omega-3 comes from fatty fish and other kinds of seafood, like mussels or salmon. Since most people in North America don't include enough fish in their diet, unlike a Mediterranean diet, try an Omega-3 supplement like Omega Daily.

The best way to prevent osteoarthritis in the first place is to follow many of the same guidelines as those who have the disease already. The key is to stay healthy. Those who are overweight are more likely to develop the disease, as the extra weight puts stress on the joints. Stay in shape, and be aware of any stress to the joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune disorder, causing your immune system to attack the joints, causing a painful inflammation. Unlike other forms of arthritis like osteoarthritis, RA also attacks the organs like the heart, eyes and lungs. Of the 100+ forms of arthritis, this is one of the most debilitating varieties.

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 1 out of 100 North Americans, or 2.1 million people, and women are three times more likely to get the disease than men. The cause of RA is unknown, but a popular theory points to the disease being infectious as those who have close friends or family with the disorder are more likely to develop it themselves. Susceptibility to the disease may also be an inherited trait as well.

Early detection is vital in treating RA because the most damage is done within the first two years, with 75% of the damage occurring within the first five years. While there is no cure or preventative measure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are a number of treatments to alleviate symptoms. Each type of drug includes its own side effects- make sure that you are informed about the medication you are taking, and report any side effects to your doctor.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs, reduce the pain and swelling of the joints. Many can be had without a prescription, like acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen. In more severe cases your doctor can prescribe a stronger NSAID. Omega-3, found in fatty fish, also works to shorten the period of stiffness in the morning, one of the major symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Add salmon or albacore tuna to your diet, or try an Omega-3 supplement like Omega Daily.

Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs, known as DMARDs, are slow-acting and may take weeks to take effect. While NSAIDs are effective in relieving pain short term, DMARDs are a long term treatment meant to reduce damage to the joint and bone. Methotrexate is the most widely used DMARD.

Biologic Response Modifiers are a third medication for RA sufferers, although it is extremely cost prohibitive, costing upwards of $25,000 a year and is rarely covered by insurance. Biologic Response Modifiers, called Biologics for short, work by decreasing inflammation. They are usually paired with other medication.

There are a number of things you can do yourself to make living with the disease easier. While it is tempting to put as little exertion on your sore joints as possible, keeping active is essential to enjoying life with rheumatoid arthritis. This is for a number of reasons. The first is that regular exercise strengthens the muscles around the joint and increases flexibility. Try low-impact activities, like swimming. Try not to partake in any activities that involve too much exertion, which causes more harm than good.
Use heat and cold to your advantage, easing pain. Heat should be applied only when the joint is not inflamed, and preferably in the form of a bath or hot shower. Use cold packs on the inflamed joint directly or after strenuous use of the joint.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You've heard about the good fats and the bad fats, saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Can't keep them straight, between what you're supposed to eat and what you can? Unfortunately, many people who are dieting eliminate all fats altogether, which is as unhealthy as what they were previously putting into their body.

We're here to help you make sense of one variety - the Omega-3 fatty acids, which offer immeasurable health benefits. Doctors and scientists are still only scratching the surface of the power of Omega-3. Including more of this essential nutrient in your diet will award you better health. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fats are the healthy kind of fat that should be part of your regular diet.

Many of those who suffer from inflammation due to their arthritis, asthma, allergies or a number of other diseases have reaped the benefit of Omega-3 fatty acids, a known anti-inflammatory.

Scientists and doctors are finding new uses for Omega-3 all the time. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week because of the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease. Ongoing research points that Omega-3 may help combat autism, low birth rate and psychological disorders, to name a few.

Other areas of study on the effects of Omega-3 include, but are not limited to:

• Diabetes
  
• Menstrual cramps
  
• Asthma
  
• Burns
  
• High cholesterol
  

Unfortunately our Western diet just doesn't include enough of this essential nutrient. Good sources of this essential fatty acid come primarily from certain kinds of seafood, like salmon, albacore tuna, herring and shellfish. Flax is the next best source of Omega-3, an alternative for vegetarians. While our body can convert flax into these types of acid, seafood is recommended over it. Since scientists and doctors have praised the fatty acid, many different types of foods are now enriched with Omega-3, from bread to yogurt to baby food, to just name a few. Again, while they do contain the nutrient, it's best to take it straight from the source.

Omega Daily is a supplement that offers all the Omega-3 your body needs. Based on a concentrate of New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel, it takes the guess work out of what to eat and what not to eat.

It is advisable to talk to your physician before taking any supplement.