By Elena Voropay

Of all debilitating and frustrating diseases, arthritis can affect anyone. Despite popular belief, the condition doesn't discriminate against age, gender or ethnic background. It is often thought as an 'aging' disease, but over 60% of those diagnosed are between the ages of 15 – 60 years. Even children suffer from it.

Arthritis is Australia’s major cause of disability and pain affecting one in six Australians and costing the economy about 19.25 billion a year. Women are much more likely to develop all forms of arthritis than men. Additionally, overweight, non-active and the ones with previous injuries are more prone to the disease. Age and genetics certainly play a role, but the complexity of disease makes it difficult to pin-point most definite cause. However, strategies to prevent it from developing and to lessen the symptoms are not very difficult to adopt and are accessible to anyone.

Arthritis refers to the inflammation of joints with origin of its name coming from Greek arthro = joint and -itis = inflammation. It causes a variety of problems: pain, stiffness, fatigue and difficulty in moving.

Arthritis isn’t just 1 disease; it’s a complex disorder that comprises more than 150 distinct conditions with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and gout being the most common. Among others are fibromyalgia, juvenile arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma, bursitis, tendonitis, carpel tunnel syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, and dermatomyositis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which occurs when the cartilage cushioning between two bones becomes worn. This can be reflected in any joint in the body, mostly in large weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees, shoulders and the lower spine. Joint soreness, aching, stiffness, especially in the morning and with weather changes, edema, dull pain are all familiar to the sufferers.

Osteoarthritis may also be the result of autoimmune factors, defective gene in the joint cartilage, or as a general wear and tear of body tissues which happens with aging or repetitive joint overload.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease where the body's immunity which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease attacks joint tissues for unknown reasons. White blood cells invade connective connective synovial tissue of the joints and the lubricating fluid which smooths the motion is produced in larger than normal amounts. This results in swelling, stiffness, throbbing pain and joint deformity, weakened muscles, tendons and ligaments, and generalized bone loss leading to osteoporosis.

Symptoms may last from a few months to several years. For some lucky people they may even go away without causing any noticeable damage, while in others the condition progresses to a severe active leading to serious joint damage and disability. Between 50 and 70 per cent of rheumatoid arthritis patients have significant, irreversible joint damage in the first two years of disease onset, early diagnosis and intervention is critical.

Gout (from Latin gutta =drop) is a metabolic form of arthritis and happens when small crystals of a body's metabolic waste product uric acid crystallize in the joints causing irritation. Gout shows in the big toe first, possibly followed by inflammation of joints of knees, ankles and hands.

Uric acid is produced from breakdown of proteins and substances called purines. These are either made by the body or ingested in certain foods. As an important anti-oxidizing agent, uric acid is important for protecting our blood vessels. But as a metabolic by-product, it must be processed by liver and kidneys and excreted with urine If there are more purines than the kidneys can process, they can saturate the blood and start crystallizing (forming monosodium urate crystals) in various body parts, especially the joints.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (from Latin fibro=fibrous tissue, Greek myo=muscle and algia=pain) is a generalized chronic fatigue with pain in muscles and connective tissues. Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain, stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances, fibromyalgia is often confused with other conditions due to the resembling symptoms.

Some argue that fibromyalgia is not an arthritis-related condition because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints and is rather considered an inflammatory rheumatic condition. However, weakened joints are common in fibromyalgia and appropriate treatment and prevention are essential. It is not known exactly what causes the syndrome, but disturbances of central nervous and endocrine systems, poor circulation and lowered blood supply to the brain, decreased production of neurotransmitters serotonin and tryptophan and depressed immunity all contribute to the onset.

Lupus (from Latin luipes=wolf), specifically Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease which develops when the immune system attacks body's own tissues and organs, such as joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. Here the protective cells in the lymphatic tissues and the blood cannot recognize the healthy proteins inside and the system turns upon itself producing anti-antibodies causing tissues inflammation and swelling.

Lupus is a complex disease with unknown cause. A combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly hormonal factors work together to cause the disease. Studies suggest that several different genes may determine which tissues and organs are affected, and the severity of disease. Physical and emotional stress, sunlight, certain drugs, viruses, infection, weakened immunity may bring about lupus with the typical accompanying joint pain and fatigue.

Arthritis Prevention and Treatment

Poor nutrition and hydration, lack of exercise, stress, physical and emotional trauma, and environmental toxins all lessen body's own healing mechanism and set up a fertile ground for development of arthritis. Prevention is always the best cure. But if you already have the symptoms, there are some magnificent natural things you can do to help your body heal and bring your arthritis to a manageable state.

These techniques will help you to improve your joint health and strengthen your body regardless of your current state.

• Maximize fibre- and nutrient-rich fruits and green vegetables for stronger immunity, improved elimination and detoxification. Additionally, dark green or bright-coloured plant foods have carotenoids beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin - pigments shown to reduce the risk of arthritis. Best sources of beta-cryptoxanthin are bell peppers, papaya, watermelon, and oranges. Zeaxanthin-rich foods include kale, spinach, turnip and collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, corn, garden peas and brussels sprouts.
• If you have gout, be very specific about your choice of fruits and vegetables. Some nature's gifts may have purines and be too acidic for your body. Despite their wonderful nourishing qualities, you are better off limiting the consumption of oranges, tomatoes, capsicums, cauliflower, spinach, asparagus, potatoes and eggplants from your arthritis-friendly diet.
• To minimize uric acid production in the body, avoid high-purine foods, such as shellfish, sardines, red meats, organ meats (liver, kidneys), anchovies, beans, legumes and sweet breads. Generally, all protein-containing foods have purines, but plant sources show different impact on joint health
• Slope off caffeine, alcohol, processed and refined foods, saturated and hydrogenated fats from dairy, meats,and trans-fats in margarine which may interfere with circulation, lower the inflammation of body tissues, disturb metabolic and sleep patters, and lower the immunity
• Herbal supplements of Bilberry, Hawthorn, Juniper berry, Nettle root, Pine-bark and Grape-seed extracts help excrete metabolic wastes causing unpleasant symptoms of gout
• Flaxseed, black currant seed, borage, evening primrose and fish oils are the best sources of essential Omega-3 fatty acids that increase the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in the body and prevent and reduce arthritis symptoms.
• Combination of Magnesium and Malic acid assist with energy production at the cellular level, Calcium improves nerve function and helps build stronger bones and connective tissue, Selenium and vitamin E are excellent anti-oxidants that help excrete metabolic wastes, Manganese is necessary for skeletal development
• Boron, SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Glucosamine and Chondroitin have all shown to assist in joint cartilage formation and lessen the symptoms of all forms of arthritis. Coenzyme Q10, bee pollen or royal jelly, lecithin, acidophilus, proteolytic enzymes will help detoxify and revitalize your body.
• Grains are wonderful sources of energizing B-vitamins. Arthritics have shown improvements with vitamin B complex injections, plus extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B12, or raw liver extract.
• Essential oils of juniper, eucalptus, rosemary, lavender, basil, black pepper and ginger are used in aromatherapy in massage and soothing baths to ease pain and inflammation. Hypnotherapy and meditation help relieve stress.
  
• Acupuncture and acupressure of bladder, gallbladder, spleen, stomach and intestinal points works well in relieving symptoms of arthritis and stimulate the internal organs. Osteopathy and chiropractic involve small movement to joints, usually in the spine to help ease the pain due to wear and tear and bring the body into its natural balance.
• Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing strengthening training, is essential to keep the joints alive. Biking may be hard on the knees, but walking is highly regarded. Tai Chi, Yoga and swimming are gentle forms of activity extremely helpful for arthritis patients and very beneficial for joint, muscle and bone strength and overall stamina.
• Physical therapy helps you joint function, muscle strength, and fitness level by showing you best ways to move and create a road map of improvement for each muscle/joint group.

Elena Voropay is a professional health writer and science journalist with a passion for natural health. She is a Certified Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, Iridologist and Herbal Medicine Specialist. She has conducted training sessions and presentation in USA and Australia and now is finishing her degree in Naturopathy. For a wealth of information visit her web site at www.AustralianNaturopathy.com and www.AustralianFitness.com

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