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Arthritis Treatment Center in NYC
The medical terminology for arthritis is inflammation of the
joints. Most people over the age of 60 have been afflicted with
pain. This pain can be either in the hands, knees, or back. As
arthritis develops, the joints become inflamed and begin to
cause pain or swelling. Usually, by the time an X-ray is ordered
by your doctor, the disease has been there longer than the
symptoms recognized by the patient. The systemic chronic
inflammatory disease can be of different types, most commonly
rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.
1 Rheumatoid Arthritis
a. Definition: Chronic system inflammatory disorder. Symmetric
synovitis ( inflammation of the synovial fluid of the joints )
and joint erosin
b. Arthritis can affect other organ system as the lungs
c. Women affected by Arthritis greater than men; three to one ratio
d. Onset of age: 30 – 60 years of age
2 Arthritis risk factors
a. Genetic (family history)
b. Infectious
c. Stress
3 Signs and symptoms of Arthritis
a. Generalized as fatigue, weight loss and even fever
b. Morning stiffness
c. More than 3 joints affected
4. Diagnosis
a. rheumatoid factor ( blood test)
b. Anti nuclear antibody (ANA) – blood test
5. Treatment of Arthritis
a. must differentiate from other diseases
b. after proper x rays to reveal joint space narrowing and
destruction consider
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as aspirin, ibuprofen
- Gold salts – not commonly used today
- Steroids as prednisone
- immunosuppressive drugs as cyclosporine, methotrexate
6. Integrative Arthritis Therapies
a. Anti-inflammatory diet
- test food sensitivities
b. Oral supplements
-selenium – 75 mcg/day with added vitamin E
-zinc – 30 – 45 mg/day
-omega oils – 2000 – 4000 mg/day
- bioflavinoids – as quercetin
-MSM – 2,000 to 6,000 mg/day in divided doses
c. Herbs
- Devil’s Claw ( Harpagophytum procumbens )
- Ginger ( Zingiber officinale)
- Chinese tiger balm
d. Intravenous supplementation |
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