Living With Arthritis

Living with arthritis can be a positive experience -- although challenging at times. To live well with arthritis, you must understand that while arthritis is your reality, you still can have a full, rewarding, and prosperous life. It's not a given that living with arthritis is a bad life.

Use a checklist to help you manage important aspects of living with arthritis. For each item on your personal checklist, periodically assess or rate how you are doing. Here's an example of a checklist -- you can use this one if it works well for you or create your own.

A Doctor Whom You Trust

Can you think of anything more important than having a doctor you can talk to and trust? If that is the relationship you have carved out with your doctor - one that's based on communication and trust - you are on your way to living well with arthritis.

A Treatment Plan With Which You Are Fully Compliant

You can have the most communicative, trustworthy doctor in the world, but if you fail to be compliant with your treatment plan, expect no benefit from it. The doctor must be able to trust you, just as you trust him. You must be honest about taking medications as prescribed and being committed to all aspects of your treatment (e.g. exercise and physical therapy). Your doctor's job is to guide you down the right path, and your job is to follow that path.

A Healthy Lifestyle -- Including Exercise, Eating Well, and Sleeping Well

It's purely logical that a healthy lifestyle will promote better overall health and better disease management. Good nutrition, building your strength and stamina, and being well-rested are all essential to living well with arthritis.

Unshakable Perseverance

It's the "never going to give up" spirit -- you will always find a way; you will overcome. Throughout your lifetime of living with arthritis, that spirit will carry you through many difficult moments. Perseverance will block negative thinking and intrusive emotions that can interfere with getting through each day in a positive way.

A Manageable and Accessible Environment at Home

Is your home set up so that you can manage usual daily activities? Is there anything you need in your home that would make daily activities easier? Consider both your needs and what's available to you, and create a match. Work towards improving your environment to make things easier and to compensate for your physical limitations.

A Manageable and Accessible Environment at Work

The qualifications here are essentially the same as above, just within the workplace setting instead of at home. Are your needs met so you can function well at work and be productive? Is there room for improvement in your work environment?

Time for Yourself to Decompress

Arthritis can be stressful, to say the least. Chronic, daily pain, more than you may have ever imagined -- it takes a toll. To reverse that burden, you need to take time to decompress. How that's accomplished is up to you. It can mean reading a book to one person or a motorcycle ride to another. Whatever clears your mind and allows you to relax, do it on a regular basis. As needed is the key!

Someone to Turn to for Emotional Support

Sometimes decompressing by yourself isn't enough, and you may need someone who genuinely understands what you are going through. Do you have someone like that in your life? I call them your "go-to person" -- the person you go to when you just need to be heard, and someone whom you find comforting.

The Mindset That "Feeling Sorry for Yourself" Isn't an Option

Maybe for a split second, on occasion, feeling sorry for yourself wouldn't be too damaging. But never let it become a way of life. Replace those thoughts with a forward-thinking, optimistic, solution-based mindset.

A Hopeful Attitude for the Future

There must always be hope that things will get better. Of course, there is a range of what we mean by "get better" -- from a day without pain to a cure for arthritis. But remaining hopeful is a big part of living well with arthritis.

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Arthritis Relief - Living Arthritis Free at Age 93

Do you suffer from arthritis pain? Is life after arthritis becoming more difficult everyday? Do you wish you could feel like you are twenty again?

If you answered 'Yes' to any or all of those questions you are in the same scenario as almost 50 million Americans who suffer from arthritis. Sadly, more and more developed countries are reporting a significantly higher incline of cases of arthritis. Yet, in some undeveloped countries, arthritis seems to leave people untouched. The answer behind this will show you 'how you can cure your arthritis naturally' and 'how to find the arthritis relief you always been looking for'.

If They Stay Arthritis Free, Why Can't You?

Researchers have been dumbfounded to find indigenous tribes whose occupants live anywhere from 90 to 100 years of age yet seem to live arthritis-free up to there dying day. In fact, tribal member reportedly work up to their dying day and yet not one case of arthritis or heart disease has ever been documented. However, did you know that doctors in the United States report seeing arthritis sufferers who are 18 years old and sometimes younger? Why are arthritis cases growing exponentially? The answer might be more obvious than we think.

Arthritis Relief Starting Today

If you answered 'yes' to the above questions, what if I asked you, "If someone gave a 100% guaranteed relief for arthritis would you consider trying it?" Of course you would! Now consider that you can be arthritis free by changing you eating habits, drinking habits, breathing habits, activity habits and supplementing habits. In fact, it is almost simpler than that list. Let me explain.

The greatest cure for any ailment is the prevention of that ailment. Therefore, if you know how to prevent arthritis; you also know how to cure arthritis and find immediate relief for arthritis symptoms. How is this all done? By making simple lifestyle changes (similar to the indigenous tribes) to become arthritis free!

Arthritis Free At Any Age

The following is a guideline of what you should consider for treating arthritis symptoms. By learning more on each aspect, you can legitimately bring more circulation to the arthritic joint and begin to rebuild dormant cartilage of the joint. You will see significant results if you take each aspect of treatment seriously.

1. Your diet! Did you know that the greatest reason most people get arthritis is an improper, unbalanced diet. Your nutrition is extremely important. The basic guideline you should learn is that fresh and raw foods are always better than boxed or canned foods. Begin educating yourself on what foods are good and what foods to stay away from to treat arthritis.

2. Exercise! You should begin some kind of exercise program as soon as your body allows. Try something that is easy on your joints like swimming or elliptical. Supplement your cardiovascular (getting heart pumping) workouts with weight training.

3. Water! Caffeine and carbonated drinks are typically bad for arthritis. Discover ways to spruce up your water while consuming water 8-10 times a day.

4. Breathing! Breathing exercise can increase blood circulation to all parts of body, including joints. Think about how you feel after holding your breath for 40 seconds and taking that first gasp of oxygen. Your joints will fill the same way! Your joints need significant nutrients, water, and minerals (from blood) and also oxygen.

5. Vitamins! Processed food depletes vitamins and minerals from our diets. Learn what vitamins you should consider supplementing. The correct vitamins can make you feel 10 years younger.

6. Stress! Did you know that stress can create havoc on a person? Research suggests stress can take years off a person's life. What makes you relax? Try relaxing for 20-30 minutes each and every day.

Don't Delay

If you are anything like me, sometimes I will put something off until it absolutely needs to get done! Arthritis is an ailment you should NOT procrastinate with! In fact, you can actually severely distort the joint by not treating the arthritis. Finally, if you could treat and cure arthritis completely would you do it? Of course, anyone would! To discover more tips and how to treat arthritis 100% naturally, please visit our Natural Cure for Arthritis website.

Joe Barton has quickly became an expert in the field of natural health by providing 100% guaranteed reports on various diseases, including arthritis. Barton's company has literally helped tens of thousands with naturally curing diseases through simple home remedies. To discover how you can treat arthritis yourself please visit... Natural Cure Your Arthritis Website

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Living And Coping With Arthritis - How To Stay Active And Independent

Arthritis pain can be frustrating.Nagging and crippling arthritis pain can continue day after day. How much happier would you be if you could stop your arthritis pain right now and feel great all day? Knowing the nature of the disease can really bring you the right answers.

What is arthritis ?

Arthritis comprises over 100 different diseases and conditions. The word arthritis means "joint inflammation". When joints are inflamed, it causes pain and usually also limits movement of the joints that are affected. For many people, arthritis pain has a large impact on their life. Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability. Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 16 million Americans. Each year, arthritis results in 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million outpatient visits. Arthritis is not just an old person's disease. Nearly two-thirds of people with arthritis are younger than 65 years including nearly 300,000 children. Arthritis affects children and people of all racial and ethnic groups but is more common among women and older adults.

The disease can affect different parts of the body. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the body's immune system activity. RA is one of the most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women. Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally strikes between the ages of 20 and 50. Both sides of the body are usually affected at the same time. Symptoms of RA differ from person to person but can generally include:

· Joint tenderness, warmth, and swelling.

· Pain and stiffness lasting for more than 1 hour in the morning or after a long rest.

· Joint inflammation in the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand .

· Fatigue, an occasional fever, and a general sense of not feeling well .

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone. OA commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Osteoarthritis is more common in older people because they have been using their joints longer. Using the joints to do the same task over and over or simply using them over time can make osteoarthritis worse. Younger people can also get osteoarthritis. Athletes are at risk because they use their joints so much. People who have jobs that require the same movement over and over are also at risk. Injuries to a joint increase the risk of arthritis in the joint later on. Excess weight can accelerate arthritis in the knees, hips and spine. The most common symptom of Osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint(s) after repetitive use. Joint pain is usually worse later in the day. There can be swelling, warmth, and creaking of the affected joints. Symptoms of OA may greatly vary. Some patients can be debilitated by their symptoms. On the other hand, others may have remarkably few symptoms in spite of dramatic degeneration of the joints apparent on x-rays. Symptoms also can be intermittent.

These 2 forms have very different causes, risk factors, and effects on the body, yet they often share a common symptom--persistent joint pain.

What are the causes of arthritis ?

Primary OA is mostly related to aging. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Repetitive use of the joints over the years irritates and inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs) to form around the joints. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows an injury to a joint. For example, a young person might hurt his knee badly playing soccer. Then, years after the knee has apparently healed, he might get arthritis in his knee joint.

RA is an autoimmune disease. This means the body's natural immune system does not operate as it should; it attacks healthy joint tissue, initiating a process of inflammation and joint damage. RA is a type of chronic arthritis that occurs in joints on both sides of the body (such as hands, wrists or knees). This symmetry helps distinguish RA from other types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs most frequently in the 30-50 age group, although can start at any age. It is strongly associated with the HLA marker DR4 - hence Family history is an important risk factor. The disease affects Females:Males in a 4:1 ratio.

Other conditions can also cause arthritis. Some include:

· Gout, in which crystals build up in the joints. It usually affects the big toe.

· Lupus , in which the body's defense system can harm the joints, the heart, the skin, the kidneys, and other organs.

· Viral hepatitis ,in which an infection of the liver can cause arthritis.

What can you do about it ?

Some people may worry that arthritis means they won't be able to work or take care of their children and their family. Others think that you just have to accept things like arthritis.

While there is not yet a cure for arthritis, much can be done today to reduce pain and boost joint function. Learning how to manage pain over the long term is essential to maintaining a good quality of life. There are things you can do to keep the damage from getting worse. They might also make you feel better.Here are some simple things to do:

· Lose weight if you're overweight

· Exercise regularly for short periods. Going for a walk every day will help, too.

· Use canes and other special devices to protect your joints.

· Avoid lifting heavy things.

· Don't pull on objects to move them-push them instead

· Use heat or cold to reduce pain or stiffness.

The pain and disability that accompany arthritis can be decreased through early diagnosis and appropriate management.So if you have persistent symptoms lasting more than several days - go see your doctor. The doctor will examine you and may take x rays (pictures) of your bones or joints to decide if you have arthritis and what kind you have.

After the doctor knows what kind of arthritis you have, he or she will talk with you about the best way to treat it. The doctor may give you a prescription for medicine that will help with the pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

The good news is that now there is a way to stop your pain with a medication . Celebrex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), specifically a COX-2 inhibitor, which relieves pain and swelling (inflammation). It represents a huge breakthrough in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and stiffness of arthritis. Celebrex is believed to fight pain and inflammation by inhibiting the effect of a natural enzyme called COX-2. Unlike the older medications, however, it does not interfere with a similar substance, called COX-1, which exerts a protective effect on the lining of the stomach.Celebrex doesn't cause the stomach bleeding and ulcers that traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might.

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