how can arthritis be stopped,and cured,especially of the knees?no drugs please.Also how can it be prevented?
96398
There are a few different types of arthritis but the one you have is probably "osteoarthritis". Osteoarthritis is inflammation due to degenerative changes from excessive loading of the articular surfaces of the joint. In your case, this has most likely occured due to your prior injuries, which places more stress on the cartilage in your knee, leading to degeneration and pain.\n\nThere is no true cure for this disease, however various surgical and medical means exist that may relieve your symptoms or slow progression.\n\nSurgery: If ligaments or the meniscus were torn in your old injury, surgical repair can restore some measure or congruity to the articular surfaces thereby reducing the progression of osteoarthritis. More drastic surgical measures include total knee replacement or osteotomies.\nMedical: Various types of anti-inflammatory drugs are worth trying and can relieve pain as well as reduce swelling. Newer drugs called glucosamines have come into the market which claim to slow the degeneration or even promote repair of the joint lining, although concrete evidence for these claims is controversial.\n\nThe best thing you can do now is to avoid straining your knees too much. Exercise can strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve your condition. However, take care to avoid high impact activities such as long-distance running etc. Swimming and cycling are very good alternatives to consider.
136967
My husband has arthritis in his knees and hips from the same reason. Heating pads work for him at night, and aleve works for him during the day. The heating patches he wears to work and he swears by them. Winter makes it especially hard for him due to the cold weather so every night he takes a hot bath. At night we have the thermostat turned up to make our room warmer to ease the pain while he's sleeping...one simple rule of thumb...think heat because it will relieve the pain...as far as pills once again Aleve!
315228
I too have arthritis in my hands.  I soak them in warm to hot water for awhile then I try to keep them moving and at the same time warm.  Seems to help me alot.
79484
The Facts About Arthritis\n\n \nNumber of Americans with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms:\n\n1985 - 35 million \n1990 - 37.9 million \n1998 - nearly 43 million (1 in 6 people) \n2005 – 66 million (nearly 1 in 3 adults) -- 42.7 million have doctor-diagnosed arthritis and 23.2 million people live with chronic joint symptoms, but have not been diagnosed by a doctor \nArthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15. \nArthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability. \nArthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans. \nArthritis results in 39 million physician visits and more than a half million hospitalizations. \nCosts to the U.S. economy totals more than $86.2 billion annually. \nArthritis affects people in all age groups including nearly 300,000 children. \nBaby boomers are now at prime risk. More than half those affected are under age 65. \nHalf of those Americans with arthritis don’t think anything can be done to help them. \nArthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases that affect areas in or around joints. \nArthritis strikes women more often than men. \nOverall arthritis:\n\nWomen - 25.9 million of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis \nMen - 16.8 million of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis\nThe disease also can affect other parts of the body. Arthritis causes pain, loss of movement and sometimes swelling. Some types of arthritis are:\n\nOsteoarthritis, 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. It is the most prevalent form of arthritis. \nRheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the body’s immune system activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women. \nGout, which affects mostly men. It is usually the result of a defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most often attacks small joints, especially the big toe. Fortunately, gout almost always can be completely controlled with medication and changes in diet. \nAnkylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow together. \nJuvenile arthritis, a general term for all types of arthritis that occur in children. Children may develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or childhood forms of lupus, ankylosing spondylitis or other types of arthritis. \nSystemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), a serious disorder that can inflame and damage joints and other connective tissues throughout the body. \nScleroderma, a disease of the body’s connective tissue that causes a thickening and hardening of the skin. \nFibromyalgia, in which widespread pain affects the muscles and attachments to the bone. It affects mostly women.
831202
Arthritis does not have anything to w/ std or aids. Aids is an immune deficiency and std is a disease as well. Arthritis is not a disease, as in you can't catch it from someone else, it's a deterioration of the joints.
545180
A number of years ago my mother began to take apple cider vinegar for her arthritis. Granted, she had, and still has a mild case. It seemed to help the pain and swelling. She mixed 1 ounce in a glass of water and drank it once a day. As a side effect her skin cleared up. Good Luck!
40881
It really depends on what you mean by "rheumatoid arthritis".  Is there already major damage to your knee?  Has the knee cartilage been worn down close or to the joint bone? If there is then a knee replacement will definitely help get rid of pain and allow you get around much much easier.\n\nHowever, age is important.  Doctors are reluctant to give a knee replacement unless you are older because knee replacements are not a permanent solution.  However, they are getting to be better and do last longer. Also, some people have a second and third replacements in their lifetime.  How long they last also depends on how active you are.  If you are very active with your new joint then it won't last as long, but if you are moderately active, it will last longer.\n\nA joint replacement is a last resort.  Doctors will usually start out by using medicine, exercise, and healthy eating to help alleviate discomfort.  Also, if you are very overweight, then it will definitely help your knee to lose weight.  Just think how detrimental it would be to carry around an extra 20 pound barbell weight.  A normal weight is better on the knees.
1085851
two medicines are injected directly into the knee for osteoarthritis\n1.coricosteroids that are basically depot(long term ) painkillers and 2.joint lubricants (hyalase) -the latter is of doubtful value especially in advanced cases\n\nplease feel free to contact me if you wish - i need further info for a full diagnosis.\ncvjeena@yahoo.com
1052267
It's very difficult to answer a question like that online.  Age and level of activity is a huge factor.  You could have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone cancer, torn meniscus, torn ACL or other ligaments, gout, or plain join inflammation from using your knees too much.  See a doctor.
470105
Determining the cause of arthritis can be difficult, because often several factors contribute to an individual developing this common problem. \n\nSome of the risk factors that can cause arthritis include: \nGenetics\nExactly how much heredity or genetics contributes to the cause of arthritis is not well understood. However, there are likely genetic variations that can contribute to the cause of arthritis. \n\nAge\nCartilage becomes more brittle with age and has less of a capacity to repair itself. As people grow older they are more likely to develop arthritis. \n\nWeight\nBecause joint damage is partly dependent on the load the joint has to support, excess body weight can lead to arthritis. This is especially true of the hips and knees that can be worn quickly in heavier patients. \n\nPrevious Injury\nJoint damage can cause irregularities in the normal smooth joint surface.
715711
It is a myth that cracking joints causes any form of arthritis.  You might grow an inch, but it is not going to be because you cracked anything.\nBy the way, I guess love you, too.
1062121
1. Glucosamine\n2. Elastic knee brace/bandage\n3. Ice/Ibuprofen, etc. to reduce swelling/inflammation\n4. Stretch beforehand. Put your knees together, feet close together as well, and rotate your knees slowly in circles, first one way then the other for about 5 turns.\n5. If those don't help, you better see a doc.---------\n--------------\n6. Um, like the other person said, don't wear heels. (Duh to me)
223258
There is no "cure" for RA, but there is treatment.  I was diagnosed one year ago and am now in remission thanks to Enbrel.  Enbrel is a TNF blocker similar to remicade.  These types of meds show promise and may help stop the damage done from RA.  They don't work for everyone, but it's worth a shot.  Enbrel did wonders for me.  Make sure you pay attention to your rheumatologist and follow his suggestions.  If he suggests remicade chances are he wants to be aggressive and treat you before things get worse.  Be patient.  It took me 8 months of pain to get relief.  Good luck, I hope you find relief in treatment!!
435108
How Is Arthritis Pain Treated?\n\nThere is no single treatment that applies to everyone with arthritis, but rather the doctor will develop a management plan designed to minimize your specific pain and improve the function of your joints. A number of treatments can provide short-term pain relief.\n\nShort-Term Relief\n\nMedications--Because people with osteoarthritis have very little inflammation, pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol*) may be effective. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis generally have pain caused by inflammation and often benefit from aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).\n\nHeat and cold--The decision to use either heat or cold for arthritis pain depends on the type of arthritis and should be discussed with your doctor or physical therapist. Moist heat, such as a warm bath or shower, or dry heat, such as a heating pad, placed on the painful area of the joint for about 15 minutes may relieve the pain. An ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) wrapped in a towel and placed on the sore area for about 15 minutes may help to reduce swelling and stop the pain. If you have poor circulation, do not use cold packs.\nWhat does it do?\n\nGlucosamine is an important building block needed by the body to manufacture specialized molecules called glycosaminoglycans, found in cartilage.\nWhere is it found?\n\nGlucosamine is not present in significant amounts in most diets. Supplemental sources are derived from the shells of shrimp, lobster, and crab, or may be synthesized.\nWhy do athletes use it?*\n\nSome athletes say that glucosamine\nhelps reduce joint pain.\nWhat do the advocates say?*\n\nFor a long time, glucosamine dominated the market among supplements used to ease joint pain. Now, many practitioners prefer to use a combination of both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Many have found this combination to be effective, particularly for runners, who tend to develop problems with their knees. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are well absorbed by the molecules that make up cartilage. They are not available from food. It is not uncommon to have to take these supplements indefinitely to continue to experience relief.\nRecent research has shown that the results of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis in the knee is no different than that of placebo. This gives people further reason to at least give supplements, such as glucosamine sulfate, a try before enduring more invasive, expensive approaches.\nHow much is usually taken by athletes?\n\nGlucosamine sulfate, 1,500 mg per day, is effective for reducing joint pain caused by osteoarthritis according to most studies,1 2 3 Whether other forms of glucosamine, such as glucosamine hydrochloride, are as effective for joint pain as glucosamine sulfate is unclear at this time, but studies have found some benefits from the use of the hydrochloride form.4 5 Other uses of glucosamine for sports and fitness, including prevention of joint pain or treatment of sports injuries, have not been studied.\nAre there any side effects or interactions?\n\nAt the amount most frequently taken by adults—500 mg three times per day of GS—adverse effects have been limited to mild reversible gastrointestinal side effects. In one trial, people with peptic ulcers and those taking diuretic drugs were more likely to experience side effects.6\nAnimal research has raised the possibility that glucosamine could contribute to insulin resistance.7 8 This effect might theoretically result from the ability of glucosamine to interfere with an enzyme needed to regulate blood sugar levels.9 However, available evidence does not suggest that taking glucosamine supplements will trigger or aggravate insulin resistance or high blood sugar.10 Two large, 3-year controlled trials found that people taking GS had either slightly lower blood glucose levels or no change in blood sugar levels, compared with people taking placebo.11 12 Until more is
7328
Try primrose oil.  I researched the internet, and it said it helps for rheumatoid arthritis so I tried it.  It works.
745900
Glucosamine with Condroiton has been proved to help ease pain in arthritic old people. \n\nI talked to my doc about it before, and while he said there were no studies done yet on young people with my condition, that it wouldn't be a bad idea. \n\nI've taken it off and on over the last couple years, and it does take about 4 months to do anything for you, and isn't very cheap, but it seemed to help me a bit. \n\nJust be sure to talk with your doc if your diabetic because it is a sugar - based compound.\n\nAlso, for achy joints you may want to think about reducing the impact in your exercises (maybe walking instead of jogging - think about it).
889069
I know this is tough and it is easier said than done, but you have to strengthen your back and all your joints with stretches and regular walks. If possible, do join a yoga class. If you can't go regularly to one, have someone teach you and do it everyday. It will definitely help. The doctor told my mom that she is in the early stages of osteoarthritis and has to do some form of exercise. She walks a lot now and does simple stretches as she goes about her day. She feels better. Hope this helps! Take care!