Reactive Arthritis

Reactive Arthritis Males who are between 20 and 40 years of age are much more likely to get Reactive Arthritis. This type of arthritis can affect females as well, but mostly men get this type of inflammation. This is especially true for those who may have the human immunodeficiency virus, as reactive arthritis is caused by inflammation in the body due to an infection. After an infection has passed in the body, the joints may become inflamed. This can happen immediately after an infection, or it can take longer to happen, this all depends upon the person. There can be times in which the person feels great, and then just as quickly the inflammation flares up again and causes issues.

What Is Reactive Arthritis?
The main parts of reactive arthritis is swelling and pain in the joints that happens following some sort of infection in the body. Usually, it is the knees, ankles and feet that are often swelling and in pain. However, a person can find that their eyes, skin and urethra can become affected by reactive arthritis. The infections that usually trigger this arthritis to start usually occur in the intestines, urinary tract or genital area, but other infections can trigger this as well.

Many times, people refer to reactive arthritis as Reiter’s syndrome; however, this is not the proper term. Reiter’s is a type of reactive arthritis, not the arthritis itself. Luckily, those who are suffering with reactive arthritis will usually find the problem gone within 12 months. The chances of getting reactive arthritis are not high, as this is not really common.

What Are the Symptoms of Reactive Arthritis?


Once a person has an infection, usually following a sexually transmitted disease or some sort of digestive infection, they may start to see the signs of reactive arthritis a few weeks later. Reactive arthritis usually only affects:

• Joints and tendons


• Eyes


• Urinary system

When reactive arthritis affects the joints or tendon, the symptoms are:

• Weight-bearing joints usually start to swell and have intense pain. Weight-bearing joints are usually the knees, hips and ankles


• There is pain in the lower back and/or the butt


• Pain in the heel of the foot


• Fingers and toes tend to swell

When reactive arthritis is seen in the eyes, the symptoms of this are:

• The eyes may become blood shot and red


• There may be pain in the eyes


• The lids of the eyes are often swollen


• Eyes may water constantly


• Sensitivity to light

When the urinary system shows signs of reactive arthritis, the symptoms are:

• A burning sensation or even pain while urinating


• Sudden and increased urges to urinate


• There is a small chance of seeing blood in the urine, but this is not very common


• Discharge from the vagina or the penis

There are other symptoms of reactive arthritis that are not associated with any mentioned beforehand. For example:

• Feeling very tired


• Having a fever that is around 100 °F or so


• White rashes on the inside of your mouth or mouth Ulcers


• Rashes on the skin


• Pain in the abdomen


• Diarrhea that comes on suddenly

When to See a Doctor:
If you start to see swelling in the joints or are experiencing pain in the joints, then it is best to call a doctor. This is especially true if you recently had issues with your urinary system or bouts of diarrhea.

What Are The Causes & Risk Factors of Reactive Arthritis?
When reactive arthritis is being discussed, there are several causes that are associated with the forming of this arthritis. These causes are:

• The most common reason for developing reactive arthritis is an infection in the urethra, including a sexually transmitted disease


• An infection in the stomach, such as food Poisoning, can lead to this arthritis affecting a person


• Having an upper respiratory infection, namely Chlamydophilia pneumonia">Pneumoniae can lead to the arthritis developing


• A small infection that is viral, such as a cold can lead to the arthritis flaring up


• In a small number of cases, there is no infection that causes reactive arthritis, the person simply has this

With the causes being known, who is at risk to develop reactive arthritis? There are basically three risk factors when it comes to reactive arthritis. These are:

• Your sex, as males are more likely to develop reactive arthritis due to sexually transmitted diseases. However, women can get the arthritis in the right conditions.


• Those that are between 20 and 40 years of age are more likely to develop this arthritis.


• There is a chance of some people inheriting the chances of getting reactive arthritis from their family. There have been genetic markers found within a family. However, just because someone possesses the genetic marker, does not mean that they will get reactive arthritis.

What Are the Treatments for Reactive Arthritis?
There is treatment for reactive arthritis, however, the treatment that a person receives really depends upon what stage their reactive arthritis is in. For those who have reactive arthritis that is just developing, then they are often given pain pills that are for anti-inflammation such as NSAID’s. Some of these are available over the counter like Naproxen. A few other examples of NSAIDS given are diclofenac, indomethacin, or celecoxib. The dosage that the person takes varies according to several factors.

When a person has been dealing with reactive arthritis for some time, then these is often referred to reactive arthritis that is in its later stages. This stage of the arthritis may not respond to NSAIDs. In most cases, the doctor has to give the patient something like an anti-rheumatic drug that is often referred to as DMARD. A few examples of this are sulfasalazine and/or methotrexate.

There are times that the arthritis will not respond to these drugs as well, which usually means the doctor recommends getting shots or cortisone into those joints that are affected with the arthritis.

Septic Arthritis

Septic Arthritis When there is an infection in the joints, which is very painful as well, it is referred to as septic arthritis. It can be caused by the germs from other parts of the body, infecting the joints, or entry of germs in the joint due to penetrating injury.

The most commonly infection joints are knee and hip joints and it usually affects infants and older adults. It is crucial to get immediate medical treatment as septic arthritis is known to severely damage the cartilage and bone in the joint. The joint is drained by using a needle or by performing surgery. Antibiotics are given intravenously to stop the infection if required.

What Are the Symptoms of Septic Arthritis?


Symptoms of septic arthritis depend on the age of the person and also the medication the person is taking. Some of the commonly seen symptoms are:

• Swelling in the joints


• Feeling warm around the joint and redness


• Severe pain during movement of the joint


• Fever, fatigue and chills


• Weakness, irritability and decreased appetite


• Rapid heartbeat

When to See a Doctor
If you experience sudden and severe pain in the joints, it should be checked by a doctor, as immediate treatment can prevent major damage to the joints.

What Are the Causes & Risk Factors of Septic Arthritis?
Bacteria from other parts of the body can cause septic arthritis by travelling through the blood stream. It is also possible that open wounds or surgical openings get infected by bacteria, e.g. knee surgery. The bacteria responsible for causing septic arthritis are Haemophilus Influenza, staphylococcus and streptococcus. Once in the bloodstream, they can infect the joint and cause pain and inflammation.

Viruses also cause septic arthritis, the most common ones are:

• Hepatitis A, B & C Virus


• Herpes viruses


• HIV


• Parvovirus B19, HTLV-1


• Adenovirus, Coxsackie virus and Mumps virus

Fungi are also known to be responsible for septic arthritis. They are Histoplasma, Coccidiomyces and Blastomyces. The infection causes by these are less severe than the ones caused by bacteria.

Risk Factors
The Risk factors for developing septic arthritis are given below.

Risk Factors	Description
Existing Joint Problems	If you suffer from Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout, lupus or have undergone joint replacement surgery, any joint surgery or have joint injury, you are at more risk to develop septic arthritis
On Medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis	The medications of rheumatoid arthritis suppress the immune system, which increases the susceptibility for septic arthritis. Also it is difficult to diagnose in patients with RA, since the signs and symptoms are very similar.
Skin Fragility	People whose skin bruises or breaks easily and does not heal quickly, give access to bacteria. This is seen in people suffering from Psoriasis and eczema. Skin wounds, puncture sites from injections are also prone to infections.
Weakened Immune System	Since the immune system is weak, it becomes difficult for the body to fight off any infection. People taking immune suppressants or those suffering from kidney disease, liver problems or Diabetes are at an increased risk of infection.

How Is Septic Arthritis Diagnosed?
The diagnosis begins with a physical examination of the joint and history of the signs and symptoms. To confirm septic arthritis, tests need to be done.

• Arthrocentesis is a test which involves testing the synovial fluid from the infected joint and checking it for color, consistency, WBC and bacterial presence.


• A blood test can also be done to determine the WBC count and the presence of bacteria and the type of bacteria.


• Imaging tests like X-ray, MRI, CT-scans and nuclear scans are helpful in determining the damage to the joints caused due to the infection.

What Are the Treatments for Septic Arthritis?
Various treatments are available for Septic Arthritis. Given below are some of the most commonly prescribed treatments.

• Antibiotics. The first mode of treatment is injecting wide spectrum antibiotics in the vein, which can kill the bacteria associated with septic arthritis. The dosage is usually high to ensure that the bacteria are destroyed. Once the reports from tests are available, the type of antibiotics used will be specific to the bacteria causing the infection. Although the symptoms disappear on taking the antibiotics, they need to be taken for a stipulated amount of time to ensure the infection is completely gone.


• Removing the joint fluid. The infected fluid is drained out from the joints to ensure that it does not cause damage to the joint. It also helps the antibiotics to act on the infection. The draining is simpler when smaller joints like knee or elbow are involved. However, a small surgery might be required for hip joints. Sometimes, the fluid will be required to be drained multiple times till the accumulation of infected fluid does stop.


• Splints. Since the infection causes severe pain in movements, the joint is usually splinted initially.


• Physiotherapy. After the infection has been cured, the joint can become stiff over a period of time, due to lack of activity. Physiotherapy will be helpful in ensuring that the movement is maintained in the joint.


• Artificial joints. Incase artificial joints get infected, they are removed and new joints are inserted.

Watch the video below to have a quick view on septic arthritis:

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis or RA, as it's frequently referred to, is a condition in the joints that ranges from mild to extremely severe. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which makes it very different from other types of arthritis. It's not due to your age or gender. RA is due to your body attacking itself. It attacks the lining in the joints and can result in excruciating pain in hands, knees and ankles. It results in a lot of pain and swollen joints.

There are three basic steps to diagnosis. The doctor will want your medical history, then a blood test and some X-rays of your joints to help diagnose the condition.

Understanding the Term 'Seronegative'



Seronegative is the medical term that is generically applied to any blood test when it comes back negative. It's not specifically related to rheumatoid arthritis. When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, a seronegative result means that your blood does not produce the antibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides) that usually show up when people are tested for diseases such as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

While a seronegative result normally means that RA is not present, doctors believe that people with this result could still have RA. However, RA in patients with a seronegative result is much harder to detect. The results could just mean the patient has a lower rheumatoid factor in their blood than patients who test positive for RA, which is referred to as seropositive.

Then What Does Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Mean?
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritismay indicate that the patient has low level or undetectable levels of the rheumatoid factor. He may have a bone fracture or physical trauma in the first six months of diagnosis. About half of all RA patients are seronegative in the first six months of their illness. However, this level changes as the patient progresses and within 2 years they will no longer be testing negative.

Signs and Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that seronegative Rheumatism patients will display. They will complain of aches and pains and even inflammation in their joints. Their hips and knees will be the most affected. However, they may also have nodules which grow underneath of their skin. These will sometimes be visible on the body such as the knuckles.

Often, other areas of the body may also be affected. These areas may include the eyes and the lungs. Many patients also have dry mouth and dry eyes. This can lead to damage in the eyes and result in loss of vision.

The symptoms can be very challenging to fully diagnose and many patients will have a false negative in the early years of their condition. Doctors are always cautious when diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. If the doctor is unsure, he or she will want to take their time and make sure that they are getting an accurate diagnosis.

If It Isn't Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, What Could It Be?
When someone has Rheumatoid arthritis and they have a negative or seronegative result, they are always monitored more closely. Doctors used to believe that seronegative arthritis was a type of RA but now they believe otherwise.

There are 7 basic criteria for diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. Only one of these 7 criteria is a titer of RF. One in seven patients will not have any detectable levels of RF and they will be termed "seronegative".

There are over 100 types of arthritis. All of these can have symptoms that overlap. A few of the more common forms of seronegative arthritis include Osteoarthritis, bacterial Endocarditis, Reactive Arthritis and septic arthritis. Less common types include juvenile onset and adult onset forms of idiopathic arthritis as well as some brought about by bacteria such as Rheumatic fever or Lyme arthritis.

To sum it up, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis means that the person doesn't have any of the significant levels of the rheumatoid factor. However, they may still have a form of the condition and it may just be less aggressive. They may at a later date develop the condition in full.

Spondylarthropathy
With so many symptoms, they may even have another form of arthritis. Experts have classified many different conditions that are very similar to arthritis but have a seronegative factor. One of these is Spondylarthropathy.It may also be referred to as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondylarthropathy, or BASE syndrome. A lot of the disorders falling under the heading of spondylarthropathy were at one point in time thought to be variants of RA.

These include such conditions as:

• reactive arthritis


• ankylosing spondylitis


• Psoriatic Arthritis


• enteropathic arthritis


• Whipple’s disease

These disorders are unique in that they do share a common root. They are also all inflammatory, autoimmune conditions that cause arthritis in various parts of the body.

Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondylarthropathy
While all of these conditions might have arthritis in common, there are also some huge differences between rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthropathy.

These are that spondylarthropathy is much more commonly found in men. And, that spondylarthropathy conditions frequently include complications besides arthritis, such as:

• Psoriasis


• eye diseases


• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)


• Canker Sores


• urethritis

Rheumatoid arthritis as well as spondylarthropathy may also be different in how they are presented in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis happens in the joints on both sides of your body. In spondylarthropathy, however, it's experienced asymmetrically. It also happens more in feet and ankles and not just the joints. It may also flare in the spine as well as tendons that are attached to bones.

How Can It Be Treated?
Sadly, there is no cure for either seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to note, however, that even though there isn't a cure, there are treatments like the following that can offer some relief:

• antibiotics for eye infections


• painkillers


• topical creams for psoriasis


• dietary changes for inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs)

If you are struggling with joint pain and think you may have arthritis, you have many options. Give your doctor a call and find out what you can do for your pain relief.

What Does Arthritis Feel Like?

What Does Arthritis Feel Like? It's estimated that 20% of Americans are affected by arthritis in at least one joint, and it is more common among women, and occurs more frequently as people age. The disease sometimes develops from an injury, or after many years of use as the shock absorbing cartilage that normally cushions the joints wear away. What does arthritis feel like? It depends on which joint is affected, the type of arthritis, and how long the disease has had time to develop.

What Does Arthritis Feel Like?
In all types of arthritis, the area around a joint, such as the wrist, knee, or elbow, can become red, swollen, and tender to the touch. It may also feel warm, and people afflicted with arthritis explain that their condition puts limitations on both physical and social issues in their lives.

• Physical limitations: It affects their ability to walk more than short distances, lift or grasp objects, or their ability to bend over. As the arthritis progresses, it interferes with every aspect of daily life, such as using the toilet, and personal hygiene like grooming and bathing. Routine tasks become arduous, such as laundry, shopping, and household cleaning.


• Social limitations: Arthritis, and the Chronic Pain associated with it, also affects people's social and leisure activities, straining marriages and partnerships. A shift in care-giving responsibilities and impacts on sexual activities sometimes complicate matters further. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from arthritis may feel a loss of control and helplessness that often leads to Depression.

Personal Experiences with Arthritis

"When I get it in my spine, it's sharp and sudden inducing spasm. It hits randomly, but is worse at night. When it hits my hips, it's like a constant ache when I am walking; however, if I overextend/rotate it, the pain is sharp and sudden. For my fingers and toes, it's as if someone took a hammer to them, or I've jammed them in a door. They become hot, swollen, and almost unusable." - Dorothy

"What does arthritis feel like? My arthritis feels horrible as it hits me in a couple of different ways. Whenever the weather changes, the joints in my hands and knees feel like a bad toothache. If I overuse my weight-bearing joints at the hips, it feels like I'm grinding up glass shards." - Jim

"My arthritis can be anything from a gnawing ache to severe pain. I'm not sure why the intensity changes, but I think the weather makes a difference, overusing the joint, or maybe even what activity I am doing. The arthritis is my knees become worse when I climb the stairs, and they sometimes give out altogether. Of course bending over a lot tends to cause my lower back and hips to aching." - Mary

"It's really difficult to say…For me, the pain is sharp and extreme just like you've ripped your muscle! Or it feels like someone is hitting you really hard with a hammer." -Troy

"My pain always changes. It could be my feet and legs which feel a burning and pulling sensation. Or it could be my hands that feel so tight and sore that I couldn't even more my fingers." - Ritu

How to Describe Your Pain
To determine whether your pain is due to Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, or another type of arthritis, your physician will ask you some questions about your pain, how it affects your body and life, when it happens, and how severe it gets. Your physician might also ask you to rate your pain on a scale from 1 (very little pain) to 10 (severe pain).

Before you speak with your physician, think about the words you'll use to describe your joint pain. Here are some terms that can help your physician to get the full picture. Pick the ones that most accurately describe your arthritis pain when asked, what does arthritis feel like?

• Aching: a continuous, sore pain


• Throbbing: feel pain in a series of regular beats


• Hot or burning: to feel heat or a physiologically similar sensation


• Sharp: piercing physical sensation or effect


• Shooting: sudden severe pains that move through the body


• Dull: is generally like a constant spread out pain


• Grinding: crackling or grating sensation and/or sound in the body

Early Symptoms of Arthritis


Still wondering "What does arthritis feel like?" Here're some early symptoms for different types ofarthritis that could help you to get a better idea of it.

1. Early Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis is degeneration of weight-bearing joint cartilage and the underlying bone, and with no cushioning to protect it, the joint swells and becomes hard to move. It causes pain and stiffness, especially in the knees, hips, and lower back, but also joints of the fingers and toes. Symptoms are often noticed in the morning, and it takes a few minutes for the joints to get moving again. Depending on the joint affected, osteoarthritis can make it difficult to walk, open jars, or even bend over.

2. Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
A chronic progressive disease called rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints that results in painful deformities and immobility, in the fingers, feet, wrists, and ankles. It causes pain and swelling, usually the small joints of the fingers and toes, or sometimes a lager joint, such as the knee or ankle. The disease is symmetrical, meaning that if your right big toe is swollen and painful, your left big toe will be as well. In addition to joint problems, other effects can include the skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels.

3. Early Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
An auto-immune disorder, Psoriatic arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. Psoriatic arthritis also affects some people who have Psoriasis, a condition that features red patches of skin and crumbling nails. The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Moreover, they can affect any part of your body, including your spine and fingertips, and can range from relatively mild to severe. However, with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, symptoms may alternate with periods of remission.

4. Early Gout Symptoms
Gout is a disease in which a faulty metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet with deposits of chalkstones (chalky deposit of sodium urate), and acute pain. Gout is also a complex form of arthritis that is characterized by severe and sudden attacks of pain, and tenderness in joints, often attacking the large joint of the big toe. Although men are more likely to get gout, women become increasingly susceptible to gout symptoms after menopause.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Different groups are divided on the best foods for the purpose of managing Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On one side, different studies suggest that eating a balanced diet helps in the management of RA symptoms as well as the general health of the patient. On the other hand, The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS) differ with these results. NIAMS suggests that consumption of just enough calories, proteins and calcium nutrients is the best way to manage RA. Despite the difference of opinion on this issue, there is no perfect rheumatoid arthritis diet that could work for all RA patients.

In any case, every individual is different in his or her own way. Following this guideline on what to eat and avoid in RA management as you determine the best diet for you. However, do not make huge changes to your diet without some advice from your doctor.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Foods to Eat
1. Mediterranean-Style Diet


Mediterranean-style food includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods have two main components: antioxidants and phytonutrients. These components are quite beneficial to RA patients. Mediterranean-style foods also include the use of olive oil and nuts which have unsaturated fats. This type of fats is healthy and ensures patient’s cholesterol levels is at a healthy level and hence reduces the chances of suffering from a cardiovascular disease. In addition, this diet for rheumatoid arthritis enhances slimming. With reduced weight, RA patients’ joints suffer from lesser strain.

2. Omega-3s


Fatty acids that contain omega-3s have always been praised because of heart related benefits. Omega-3s are also some of the anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis. They have evidently reduced stiffness of joints and pain due to arthritis. Omega-3s can be found in either of two sources. Fish that live in cold water are the first known sources of the fatty acids. These fishes include salmon, herring and tuna. Secondly, this type of nutrients can be found in flaxseed, walnuts, as well as tofu. However, you should not presume that fish oil supplements will provide these benefits. Actually, they might lead to unwanted negative effects for interacting with RA drugs.

3. Antioxidants


Another good food for rheumatoid arthritis diet is antioxidants. By including antioxidants in a diet, an RA patient gains three main advantages: damage of free radicals, reduction of inflammation, and relieve of pain. Good examples of antioxidants are vitamins such as A, C and E, and mineral selenium. Foods rich in these nutrients include fruits, nuts, green tea, as well as fresh vegetables.

3. Fiber

Inflammation levels are measured in terms of C-reactive proteins (CRP) within a person’s blood. Foods with high quantities of fibre reduce CRP and hence reduce inflammation. You should consume more fibre by eating foods such as strawberries (frozen or fresh), fresh vegetables, and whole grains.

4. Flavonoids

Flavonoids should be included as part of a diet for rheumatoid arthritis because of their advantages. They reduce inflammation, pain due to RA and swelling. Only plants can naturally produce flavonoids. Therefore, for you to add them to your system, you should consume foods such as berries, grapes, and broccoli. If you love chocolate, then you are also adding flavonoids into your diet especially when eating the dark ones.

5. Spices

Spices that contain either curcumin or capsaicin compounds are very helpful in reducing inflammation. Cucurmin can be found in spices such as turmeric and ginger. On the other hand, capsaicin can be found in chilli peppers. It not only reduces inflammation but also effectively reduces pain.

6. The Paleo Diet

Paleo diet involves consumption of foods believed to have been consumed by the early man. These foods usually include meat, vegetables and fruits. However, the diet does not involve consumption of grains, sugary foods, dairy products or any processed food product. The advantage of this diet is that it contains high levels of proteins and low levels of carbohydrates. Paleo is considered a rheumatoid arthritis diet because it reduces inflammation. Unfortunately, foods such as red meat can worsen RA’s condition. Therefore, it is important to discuss with a doctor prior to the start of using Paleo diet.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Foods to Avoid
1. Dairy

Some patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis react negatively to dairy products’ proteins. These patients produce antibodies with the presumption that these proteins are harmful to the body. Unfortunately, these antibodies do not attack just the dairy product’s proteins and they might attack other parts of the body, which worsens RA symptoms. In order to reduce this risk, consume dairy alternatives such as soy and almond milk.

2. Meat

As you try to manage RA, you should reduce the amount of meat you consume. The reasons for this reduction are twofold. One, meat consumption adds more fats and calories into the body and this is quite unhealthy. Two, fats from meat are broken down into chemicals that favour inflammation. Doctors advise patients suffering from RA to avoid including plant sources of proteins in his rheumatoid arthritis diet. These sources of proteins include beans and soy.

3. Gluten

Gluten is a type of protein. It can be found in wheat or similar grains, which make dough chewy. This protein also triggers a disease called celiac, which is quite common in RA patients. A person suffering from celiac should not consume gluten. Otherwise he will suffer from a small intestinal reaction leading to bloating and diarrhoea. Moreover, this protein could also lead to inflammation of joints for a person suffering from celiac. A study has also found that RA patients had their condition improve significantly for eating gluten-free diets.

4. Coffee or Other Caffeinated Beverages

Millions of Americans consume coffee on a daily basis, drinking an average of three cups every day. Studies on effects of coffee on RA are not only conflicting but also inconclusive. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. One study found out that coffee leads to a subtype of RA called anti-CCP positive RA. Therefore, it is safe to avoid drinking of coffee rather than to regret later.

5. Sugar

One doctor gave an analogy for high consumption of sugars. He likened it to having excessive rain in a small pond; the flood would definitely damage the pond’s surroundings. In the body, sugars have three disadvantages: increasing acidity levels, increasing high Blood Pressure chances, and favouring inflammation. In addition, high sugar levels inhibit the normal functionality of white blood cells, lowering a person’s immunity level. In order to be safe from these risks, reduce consumption of refined sugars. You can use alternatives such as honey.

In order to learn more ways of how to manage rheumatoid arthritis, watch avideo:

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is the inflammation of the membranes that protects the joints from sudden pressure and injury due to autoimmune activation of the immune cells. Although drugs are available that may control the symptoms like serious pain, swelling and even loss of bone, but most of these pharmacological preparations are associated with a number of side effects that may range from nausea to anemia and liver diseases. Unfortunately, so far there is no curative treatment that may resolve the disturbing symptoms of Joint inflammation. Though alternative medicine cannot replace the pharmacological preparations, it may help to reduce the dosage of the drugs to minimize the risk of complications. So what could be the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis?

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1. Take Supplements


It is alwaysadvised to acquire nutrients from the dietary sources, but there are certain supplements that may change the outcome and frequency of RA attacks. Before adding any of such supplements to your diet, make sure to consult your primary doctor, because there are a few supplements that don’t mix well with certain combination of medicines. A few popular ones are:

• Folic acid, a B vitamin which is responsible for the production of red blood cells. If you’re taking methotrexate, you will be suggested to take folic acid to reduce the side effects of the drug.


• Corticosteroids like prednisone may cause bone-loss.If you are taking steroids to minimize the frequency of inflammatory attacks, you should consider calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy metabolism of bones. Consult your doctor to know how much you actually require.


• In some people with RA, fish oil and gamma-linoleic acid minimize the need of painkillers. It is also available commercially as evening primrose oil, borage seed oil or black currant.

2. Use Heat or Cold


Heat and cold treatments are suggested by many doctors to decrease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. A hot compress can stimulate blood and relax the muscles. A cool compress or an ice pack may be used on the affected area during an RA flare-up to reduce the swelling and pain. Cold fermentation also decreases the inflammation and pain in the joints.

• You should not do this treatment excessively. There should be at least a gap of 30 minutes after a 15 minute treatment.


• A warm damp towel or wet heating pad may be used effectively for heat therapy. Microwavable hot packs are also preferred by some people. However, make sure to take ample caution to prevent skin burns.


• Standing in hot water shower may also be used as a source of heat therapy by letting warm water flow over the achy inflamed parts of your body. This may also help reduce the intensity of pain and inflammatory swelling.


• Sitting in a hot tub is an effective way to relax muscles. (Note: Avoid using spas or hot tubs if you are suffering from moderate Hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses or if you are pregnant).

3. Perform Exercise
Some types of exercises are proved safe for the patients of RA. The types of exercise that can be performed by people with RA are stretching, strengthening and conditioning.

• Stretching is the simplest type of exercise. Regular stretching is the basis of any kind of exercise to be performed that aims at improving the stability and flexibility of the joints. It involves lengthening of muscle fibers by holding and stretching of joints or muscles and holding the position for a few seconds to a couple of minutes.


• Strength exercises increase the muscles' endurance and power due to healthy exposure to resistance. This may involve training with weight or other methods of increasing muscle tension. By these exercises, the amount of pain-free work increases which eventually increases the strength of soft tissues and the muscles in long run.


• Conditioning exercises (also popularly referred to as aerobic exercises) are extremely popular in RA patients as well as patients suffering from other forms of arthritis. It also helps in improving the cardiovascular functions. There are uncountable benefits of these exercises, such as besides improving the health of heart and blood vessels, conditioning training also protects the individuals from disability and also improves the mood. Good conditioning exercises for RA patient incudes walking, bicycling, swimming, yoga etc.

Watch the video to get some tips on safe exercise for RA:

4. Try Acupuncture


Acupuncture is an effective ancient eastern way that stimulates certain pressure points of the body. In this form of alternative care, an experienced practitioner introduce needles at certain pressure points for a few minutes to a few hours. The aim of acupuncture therapy is to promote the flow or balance of qi or life force, throughout the body.

The supporters say that the acupuncture causes the body to secrete hormones like endorphins, which make the body feel good; thereby also reducing the intensity and severity of pain. While disbelievers say that the benefits are only because of the placebo effect of needle piercing. There are a very few studies that say that acupuncture is useful for RA. There are no side effects of acupuncture unless you have a fear of needles or the procedure.

5. Take Massage


The massage may be beneficial depending on the intensity of the pain. It has been observed that carefully applied massage is fairly effective at relieving the muscular tension, releasing the joint Stress and making you feel better and relaxed. It is imperative to keep in mind that massage efficacy varies depending upon different individuals, intensity of RA flare and severity of symptoms. Before making an appointment with a registered therapist, make sure that your therapist has prior experience of handling patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

6. Relax Yourself


Try to get adequate and restful sleep (at least 8 hours) every night. Additionally, you can also treat yourself to a 2 hour nap in the afternoon if you don’t get enough sleep at night. Certain people with RA need more frequent napping (especially during flares). Deep breathing and relaxation exercises may help release the stress and help you in relaxing. Tension may be released by meditation also.

7. Be Smart on Diet


Studies show that the food eaten affects the inflammatory responses and reactions within the body by influencing biochemical environment of the body. Experts believe that intake of processed foods is associated with aggravation of inflammation that may lead to frequent flaring. The diet rich in veggies, spices, olive oil, healthy portions of whole grains, fresh organic fruits, wild-caught fish, organic beans, natural herbs and tea may exert excellent effects on the health of patients living with RA and other inflammatory diseases. Red meat, processed flour, excessively high quantities of sugar and saturated fats are not recommended if you have RA. Eating too much also causes inflammation as fats cells churn out different inflammatory chemicals that makes RA even worse.

Watch this video for dietary advices if you or your loved ones are living with RA:

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is the inflammation of the membranes that protects the joints from sudden pressure and injury due to autoimmune activation of the immune cells. Although drugs are available that may control the symptoms like serious pain, swelling and even loss of bone, but most of these pharmacological preparations are associated with a number of side effects that may range from nausea to anemia and liver diseases. Unfortunately, so far there is no curative treatment that may resolve the disturbing symptoms of Joint Inflammation. Though alternative medicine cannot replace the pharmacological preparations, it may help to reduce the dosage of the drugs to minimize the risk of complications. So what could be the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis?

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1. Take Supplements


It is alwaysadvised to acquire nutrients from the dietary sources, but there are certain supplements that may change the outcome and frequency of RA attacks. Before adding any of such supplements to your diet, make sure to consult your primary doctor, because there are a few supplements that don’t mix well with certain combination of medicines. A few popular ones are:

• Folic acid, a B vitamin which is responsible for the production of red blood cells. If you’re taking methotrexate, you will be suggested to take folic acid to reduce the side effects of the drug.


• Corticosteroids like prednisone may cause bone-loss.If you are taking steroids to minimize the frequency of inflammatory attacks, you should consider calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy metabolism of bones. Consult your doctor to know how much you actually require.


• In some people with RA, fish oil and gamma-linoleic acid minimize the need of painkillers. It is also available commercially as evening primrose oil, borage seed oil or black currant.

2. Use Heat or Cold


Heat and cold treatments are suggested by many doctors to decrease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. A hot compress can stimulate blood and relax the muscles. A cool compress or an ice pack may be used on the affected area during an RA flare-up to reduce the swelling and pain. Cold fermentation also decreases the inflammation and pain in the joints.

• You should not do this treatment excessively. There should be at least a gap of 30 minutes after a 15 minute treatment.


• A warm damp towel or wet heating pad may be used effectively for heat therapy. Microwavable hot packs are also preferred by some people. However, make sure to take ample caution to prevent skin burns.


• Standing in hot water shower may also be used as a source of heat therapy by letting warm water flow over the achy inflamed parts of your body. This may also help reduce the intensity of pain and inflammatory swelling.


• Sitting in a hot tub is an effective way to relax muscles. (Note: Avoid using spas or hot tubs if you are suffering from moderate Hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses or if you are pregnant).

3. Perform Exercise
Some types of exercises are proved safe for the patients of RA. The types of exercise that can be performed by people with RA are stretching, strengthening and conditioning.

• Stretching is the simplest type of exercise. Regular stretching is the basis of any kind of exercise to be performed that aims at improving the stability and flexibility of the joints. It involves lengthening of muscle fibers by holding and stretching of joints or muscles and holding the position for a few seconds to a couple of minutes.


• Strength exercises increase the muscles' endurance and power due to healthy exposure to resistance. This may involve training with weight or other methods of increasing muscle tension. By these exercises, the amount of pain-free work increases which eventually increases the strength of soft tissues and the muscles in long run.


• Conditioning exercises (also popularly referred to as aerobic exercises) are extremely popular in RA patients as well as patients suffering from other forms of arthritis. It also helps in improving the cardiovascular functions. There are uncountable benefits of these exercises, such as besides improving the health of heart and blood vessels, conditioning training also protects the individuals from disability and also improves the mood. Good conditioning exercises for RA patient incudes walking, bicycling, swimming, yoga etc.

Watch the video to get some tips on safe exercise for RA:

4. Try Acupuncture


Acupuncture is an effective ancient eastern way that stimulates certain pressure points of the body. In this form of alternative care, an experienced practitioner introduce needles at certain pressure points for a few minutes to a few hours. The aim of acupuncture therapy is to promote the flow or balance of qi or life force, throughout the body.

The supporters say that the acupuncture causes the body to secrete hormones like endorphins, which make the body feel good; thereby also reducing the intensity and severity of pain. While disbelievers say that the benefits are only because of the placebo effect of needle piercing. There are a very few studies that say that acupuncture is useful for RA. There are no side effects of acupuncture unless you have a fear of needles or the procedure.

5. Take Massage


The massage may be beneficial depending on the intensity of the pain. It has been observed that carefully applied massage is fairly effective at relieving the muscular tension, releasing the joint Stress and making you feel better and relaxed. It is imperative to keep in mind that massage efficacy varies depending upon different individuals, intensity of RA flare and severity of symptoms. Before making an appointment with a registered therapist, make sure that your therapist has prior experience of handling patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

6. Relax Yourself


Try to get adequate and restful sleep (at least 8 hours) every night. Additionally, you can also treat yourself to a 2 hour nap in the afternoon if you don’t get enough sleep at night. Certain people with RA need more frequent napping (especially during flares). Deep breathing and relaxation exercises may help release the stress and help you in relaxing. Tension may be released by meditation also.

7. Be Smart on Diet


Studies show that the food eaten affects the inflammatory responses and reactions within the body by influencing biochemical environment of the body. Experts believe that intake of processed foods is associated with aggravation of inflammation that may lead to frequent flaring. The diet rich in veggies, spices, olive oil, healthy portions of whole grains, fresh organic fruits, wild-caught fish, organic beans, natural herbs and tea may exert excellent effects on the health of patients living with RA and other inflammatory diseases. Red meat, processed flour, excessively high quantities of sugar and saturated fats are not recommended if you have RA. Eating too much also causes inflammation as fats cells churn out different inflammatory chemicals that makes RA even worse.

Watch this video for dietary advices if you or your loved ones are living with RA:

Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is an autoimmune disorder that is caused by body's immune system attacking the lining of the small joints of hands and feet, resulting in painful swelling. In a long term, bone abrasion and joint impairment can occur. In contrast to Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is not due to the mechanical wear-and-tear of the joints, but due to chronic inflammation of the lining of the joints. Apart from joints, rheumatoid arthritis also affects eyes, lungs, skin and blood vessels. Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is one result of RA test. Let's get close and know more.

What Does a Seropositive Result Mean in Rheumatoid Arthritis Test?
Being seropositive in rheumatoid arthritis test means that your blood tests shows traces of 2 protein: rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP.

These proteins are indicative of the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in the body. Although havingseropositive rheumatoid arthritis does not definitely confirm that you have rheumatoid arthritis; however, it does provide significant proof to do more investigatory tests which focus more on finding inflammation around joints and the extent of bone damage and other extra-articular features using X-rays.

Being seropositive for RF is not exclusive to rheumatoid arthritis

because it is found in 10% of the healthy population and may also be found in individuals suffering from Sjögren's syndrome, Hepatitis C, systemic Lupus Erythematosus and various chronic infections. However, seropositive patients are more liable to develop serious illnesses and have extra-articular problems as compared to seronegative persons.

What Alternative Tests Are Available to Diagnose RA?
Test for anti-CPP has a high specificity of 95% because they're rarely positive in the absence of RF. Another similar test is anti-MCV (mutated citrullinated Vimentin) test. Another test that combines anti-MCV and RF is point-of-care-test (POCT) which holds a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 99.7%.

What to Do If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that is more common in women and can occur in any age. It leads to joint damage.

1. Medication
If you get a test result of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, which further confirmed by follow-up tests, you should take the following medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

• NSAids decrease inflammation and relieve pain. NSAIDs include Ibuprofen e.g. Advil, Motrin IB, Naproxen sodium e.g. Aleve. Doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs. Side effects include irritation of the stomach lining, liver and kidney damage.


• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, fight inflammation and delay joint damage. Doctors prescribe corticosteroids to manage acute symptoms and reduce the doses as the symptoms subside. Side effects include weight gain, Diabetes and thinning of bones.


• DMARDs (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) can delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and impede permanent damage, which include methotrexate (Texal), hydroxychloroquine (Plequelin) and leflunomide (Arava). Side effects include liver damage, lung infections and bone marrow suppression.


• Biological agents, also called biologic response modifiers, are new DMARDs, including abatacept (Orencia), etanercept (Enbrel) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz). It works on the inflammation-triggering immune system to treat joint and tissue damage. It works better when combined with nonbiologic DMARDs. Side effects include increased risk of infection.

2. Therapy
A therapist can help seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients by teaching them different ways of doing everyday tasks which are easier on the joints, demonstrating daily exercises that make the joints more flexible and introducing assistive devices to patients to reduce the Stress put on the joints while performing mediocre tasks. Customized tools like kitchen knife with a saw handle and buttonhooks can make such tasks easier.

3. Surgery
Corrective surgeries for damaged and deformed joints may be advised to reduce the pain and increase joint functionality. The following procedures are used in rheumatoid arthritis surgery:

• Complete joint replacement surgery: The surgeon replaces all irreversibly damaged joint parts with new metallic and plastic prosthetics.


• Tendon repair: Tendons may lose elasticity or tear due to damaged and inflamed joints. The surgeon reconstructs torn tendons.


• Joint fusion: If joint replacement is not an option, the surgeon may combine and readjust joint parts to relieve pain.

With every surgery there’s a risk of bleeding out, infection and post-op pain.

4. Home care
With a seropositive rheumatoid arthritis result and further confirmed RA tests, you should take certain self-care steps at home to better manage the condition:

• Exercising on a daily basis can restore the muscles attached to joints. It helps patients fight tiredness. Consulting your doctor before exercising is recommended. It is advised not to exercise inflamed or aching joints.


• Applying heat or cold to the affected joints can help as well. Heat relaxes tensed and aching muscles whereas cold soothes and numbs the sensation of pain.


• Meditating and trying to relax by techniques such as guided imagery can help patients manage pain better.

Reactive Arthritis

Reactive Arthritis

Males who are between 20 and 40 years of age are much more likely to get Reactive Arthritis. This type of arthritis can affect females as well, but mostly men get this type of inflammation. This is especially true for those who may have the human immunodeficiency virus, as reactive arthritis is caused by inflammation in the body due to an infection. After an infection has passed in the body, the joints may become inflamed. This can happen immediately after an infection, or it can take longer to happen, this all depends upon the person. There can be times in which the person feels great, and then just as quickly the inflammation flares up again and causes issues.

What Is Reactive Arthritis?
The main parts of reactive arthritis is swelling and pain in the joints that happens following some sort of infection in the body. Usually, it is the knees, ankles and feet that are often swelling and in pain. However, a person can find that their eyes, skin and urethra can become affected by reactive arthritis. The infections that usually trigger this arthritis to start usually occur in the intestines, urinary tract or genital area, but other infections can trigger this as well.

Many times, people refer to reactive arthritis as Reiter’s syndrome; however, this is not the proper term. Reiter’s is a type of reactive arthritis, not the arthritis itself. Luckily, those who are suffering with reactive arthritis will usually find the problem gone within 12 months. The chances of getting reactive arthritis are not high, as this is not really common.

What Are the Symptoms of Reactive Arthritis?


Once a person has an infection, usually following a sexually transmitted disease or some sort of digestive infection, they may start to see the signs of reactive arthritis a few weeks later. Reactive arthritis usually only affects:

• Joints and tendons


• Eyes


• Urinary system

When reactive arthritis affects the joints or tendon, the symptoms are:

• Weight-bearing joints usually start to swell and have intense pain. Weight-bearing joints are usually the knees, hips and ankles


• There is pain in the lower back and/or the butt


• Pain in the heel of the foot


• Fingers and toes tend to swell

When reactive arthritis is seen in the eyes, the symptoms of this are:

• The eyes may become blood shot and red


• There may be pain in the eyes


• The lids of the eyes are often swollen


• Eyes may water constantly


• Sensitivity to light

When the urinary system shows signs of reactive arthritis, the symptoms are:

• A burning sensation or even pain while urinating


• Sudden and increased urges to urinate


• There is a small chance of seeing blood in the urine, but this is not very common


• Discharge from the vagina or the penis

There are other symptoms of reactive arthritis that are not associated with any mentioned beforehand. For example:

• Feeling very tired


• Having a fever that is around 100 °F or so


• White rashes on the inside of your mouth or mouth Ulcers


• Rashes on the skin


• Pain in the abdomen


• Diarrhea that comes on suddenly

When to See a Doctor:
If you start to see swelling in the joints or are experiencing pain in the joints, then it is best to call a doctor. This is especially true if you recently had issues with your urinary system or bouts of diarrhea.

What Are The Causes & Risk Factors of Reactive Arthritis?
When reactive arthritis is being discussed, there are several causes that are associated with the forming of this arthritis. These causes are:

• The most common reason for developing reactive arthritis is an infection in the urethra, including a sexually transmitted disease


• An infection in the stomach, such as food Poisoning, can lead to this arthritis affecting a person


• Having an upper respiratory infection, namely Chlamydophilia Pneumoniae can lead to the arthritis developing


• A small infection that is viral, such as a cold can lead to the arthritis flaring up


• In a small number of cases, there is no infection that causes reactive arthritis, the person simply has this

With the causes being known, who is at risk to develop reactive arthritis? There are basically three risk factors when it comes to reactive arthritis. These are:

• Your sex, as males are more likely to develop reactive arthritis due to sexually transmitted diseases. However, women can get the arthritis in the right conditions.


• Those that are between 20 and 40 years of age are more likely to develop this arthritis.


• There is a chance of some people inheriting the chances of getting reactive arthritis from their family. There have been genetic markers found within a family. However, just because someone possesses the genetic marker, does not mean that they will get reactive arthritis.

What Are the Treatments for Reactive Arthritis?
There is treatment for reactive arthritis, however, the treatment that a person receives really depends upon what stage their reactive arthritis is in. For those who have reactive arthritis that is just developing, then they are often given pain pills that are for anti-inflammation such as NSAID’s. Some of these are available over the counter like Naproxen. A few other examples of NSAids given are diclofenac, indomethacin, or celecoxib. The dosage that the person takes varies according to several factors.

When a person has been dealing with reactive arthritis for some time, then these is often referred to reactive arthritis that is in its later stages. This stage of the arthritis may not respond to NSAIDs. In most cases, the doctor has to give the patient something like an anti-rheumatic drug that is often referred to as DMARD. A few examples of this are sulfasalazine and/or methotrexate.

There are times that the arthritis will not respond to these drugs as well, which usually means the doctor recommends getting shots or cortisone into those joints that are affected with the arthritis.

Septic Arthritis

Septic Arthritis

When there is an infection in the joints, which is very painful as well, it is referred to as septic arthritis. It can be caused by the germs from other parts of the body, infecting the joints, or entry of germs in the joint due to penetrating injury.

The most commonly infection joints are knee and hip joints and it usually affects infants and older adults. It is crucial to get immediate medical treatment as septic arthritis is known to severely damage the cartilage and bone in the joint. The joint is drained by using a needle or by performing surgery. Antibiotics are given intravenously to stop the infection if required.

What Are the Symptoms of Septic Arthritis?


Symptoms of septic arthritis depend on the age of the person and also the medication the person is taking. Some of the commonly seen symptoms are:

• Swelling in the joints


• Feeling warm around the joint and redness


• Severe pain during movement of the joint


• Fever, fatigue and chills


• Weakness, irritability and decreased appetite


• Rapid heartbeat

When to See a Doctor
If you experience sudden and severe pain in the joints, it should be checked by a doctor, as immediate treatment can prevent major damage to the joints.

What Are the Causes & Risk Factors of Septic Arthritis?
Bacteria from other parts of the body can cause septic arthritis by travelling through the blood stream. It is also possible that open wounds or surgical openings get infected by bacteria, e.g. knee surgery. The bacteria responsible for causing septic arthritis are Haemophilus Influenza, staphylococcus and streptococcus. Once in the bloodstream, they can infect the joint and cause pain and inflammation.

Viruses also cause septic arthritis, the most common ones are:

• Hepatitis A, B & C Virus


• Herpes viruses


• Hiv


• Parvovirus B19, HTLV-1


• Adenovirus, Coxsackie virus and Mumps virus

Fungi are also known to be responsible for septic arthritis. They are Histoplasma, Coccidiomyces and Blastomyces. The infection causes by these are less severe than the ones caused by bacteria.

Risk Factors
The Risk factors for developing septic arthritis are given below.

Risk Factors	Description
Existing Joint Problems	If you suffer from Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, lupus or have undergone joint replacement surgery, any joint surgery or have joint injury, you are at more risk to develop septic arthritis
On Medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis	The medications of rheumatoid arthritis suppress the immune system, which increases the susceptibility for septic arthritis. Also it is difficult to diagnose in patients with RA, since the signs and symptoms are very similar.
Skin Fragility	People whose skin bruises or breaks easily and does not heal quickly, give access to bacteria. This is seen in people suffering from Psoriasis and eczema. Skin wounds, puncture sites from injections are also prone to infections.
Weakened Immune System	Since the immune system is weak, it becomes difficult for the body to fight off any infection. People taking immune suppressants or those suffering from kidney disease, liver problems or Diabetes are at an increased risk of infection.

How Is Septic Arthritis Diagnosed?
The diagnosis begins with a physical examination of the joint and history of the signs and symptoms. To confirm septic arthritis, tests need to be done.

• Arthrocentesis is a test which involves testing the synovial fluid from the infected joint and checking it for color, consistency, WBC and bacterial presence.


• A blood test can also be done to determine the WBC count and the presence of bacteria and the type of bacteria.


• Imaging tests like X-ray, MRI, CT-scans and nuclear scans are helpful in determining the damage to the joints caused due to the infection.

What Are the Treatments for Septic Arthritis?
Various treatments are available for Septic Arthritis. Given below are some of the most commonly prescribed treatments.

• Antibiotics. The first mode of treatment is injecting wide spectrum antibiotics in the vein, which can kill the bacteria associated with septic arthritis. The dosage is usually high to ensure that the bacteria are destroyed. Once the reports from tests are available, the type of antibiotics used will be specific to the bacteria causing the infection. Although the symptoms disappear on taking the antibiotics, they need to be taken for a stipulated amount of time to ensure the infection is completely gone.


• Removing the joint fluid. The infected fluid is drained out from the joints to ensure that it does not cause damage to the joint. It also helps the antibiotics to act on the infection. The draining is simpler when smaller joints like knee or elbow are involved. However, a small surgery might be required for hip joints. Sometimes, the fluid will be required to be drained multiple times till the accumulation of infected fluid does stop.


• Splints. Since the infection causes severe pain in movements, the joint is usually splinted initially.


• Physiotherapy. After the infection has been cured, the joint can become stiff over a period of time, due to lack of activity. Physiotherapy will be helpful in ensuring that the movement is maintained in the joint.


• Artificial joints. Incase artificial joints get infected, they are removed and new joints are inserted.

Watch the video below to have a quick view on septic arthritis:

Home Remedies for Arthritis

Home Remedies for Arthritis

While arthritis cannot be cured, there are many ways can be used to improve function of the joints, reduce pain and also try to prevent more damage to the joint. To improve bone and muscle strength, relieve pain and stiffness, and reduce fatigue, there are many exercises that can be tried.

Daily Care
To help prevent flair ups or relieve pain during one, make sure to get enough sleep each night. Getting 8 – 10 hours of sleep a day, with naps, if possible, get help you recover sooner. Try not to stay in the same position for long periods of time. Avoiding positions that can add Stress to painful joints is another simple remedy to try. Apply heat or ice on the joints or have the painful areas massaged. Water therapy is also a good option as exercising in the water in also less painful.

Weight Loss
Losing 10 – 20 pounds can greatly reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Experts say that every pound you lose lessens the pressure on your knees by four pounds. This is simply the best remedy for alleviating the pain of arthritis, but it is also the hardest one to do.

Assistive Devices
Different devices can be used to alleviate the pain of arthritis. For those with Rheumatoid Arthritis, splints or other orthotics can help support and improve the position of the joint. It is especially helpful to people who have become knock-kneed or bow-legged from having arthritis in the knees. Shoe inserts, braces, canes and splints can all help distribute body weight more evenly and helps prevent the arthritis from getting worse.

Herbs and Spices
Ginger contains an anti-inflammatory and ginger oil can be applied to the area to reduce the pain and swelling. Eating raw ginger can improve blood circulation to reduce the pain. Turmeric can be consumed as a pill, mixed into milk or as a juice to reduce inflammation. Other herbs that can be tried are borage, cherries, eucalyptus oil flax seed, Epsom salt, alfalfa, cinnamon and fish oil.

Medications
Analgesics, such as Tylenol, can be used for inflammation. Ibuprofen can also help with inflammation of the joints. Counterirritants, such as ones that contain capsaicin, can interfere with nerve signals of pain in the joint. For rheumatoid arthritis, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs can be used. These drugs keep the immune system from attacking the joints. Biologics, such as Enbrel, are drugs that have been engineered to target protein molecules. To relieve inflammation, a corticosteroid can be consumed or injected right into the joint.

Glucosamine
Some studies have supported the idea that glucosamine can help relieve arthritis symptoms. However, only glucosamine sulfate is beneficial for arthritis. Be aware that most of the products that are sold in America are not the beneficial kind. People who took 1,500 milligrams one time a day reported the best results.

Capsaicin Cream
For an over the counter remedy, try capsaicin cream. Although no one really knows how it works, it does relieve the pain of arthritis. It is produced from chili peppers and may deplete the nerve endings of the pain transmitting chemicals in the body.

Acupuncture
While acupuncture is not helpful for everyone, some people experience relief from pain after a session. Some studies have shown it to be beneficial to those with Osteoarthritis.

Electrical Therapy
Physical therapists can use transcutaneous electrostimulation to deliver electric pulses to the affected area. This can help relieve pain and swollen joints. Electroacupuncture is another option to use electric to help arthritis. The needles that are used are attached to electrodes so electric charges can be sent through them. Some evidence does exist that both of these can help arthritis pain relief and joint stiffness, at least in short periods of time.

Exercise
Exercise can be the easiest way to relieve symptoms of arthritis, which can improve flexibility and mobility, mood and overall wellness. Before trying any exercises, make sure it is ok with your doctor. Once you have approval, look for low-impact exercises, such as walking, cycling, swimming, aquatic exercise, strength or resistance training, golf and dancing.

Yoga
One of the best exercise options could be yoga. This exercise involves using movement and breathing to help with the pain and stiffness in the joints. Be sure to not use poses that can cause more pain.

Here is a video to teach you some yoga poses to relieve arthritis symptoms.

Tai Chi
Another choice would be Tai Chi. This is a slow-moving process of poses that are low-impact and help calm mental thoughts. It has a little risk for injury and may be done indoors or out.

This video will teach you how to do a seated tai chi for arthritis.

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA, as it's frequently referred to, is a condition in the joints that ranges from mild to extremely severe. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which makes it very different from other types of arthritis. It's not due to your age or gender. RA is due to your body attacking itself. It attacks the lining in the joints and can result in excruciating pain in hands, knees and ankles. It results in a lot of pain and swollen joints.

There are three basic steps to diagnosis. The doctor will want your medical history, then a blood test and some X-rays of your joints to help diagnose the condition.

Understanding the Term 'Seronegative'



Seronegative is the medical term that is generically applied to any blood test when it comes back negative. It's not specifically related to rheumatoid arthritis. When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, a seronegative result means that your blood does not produce the antibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides) that usually show up when people are tested for diseases such as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

While a seronegative result normally means that RA is not present, doctors believe that people with this result could still have RA. However, RA in patients with a seronegative result is much harder to detect. The results could just mean the patient has a lower rheumatoid factor in their blood than patients who test positive for RA, which is referred to as seropositive.

Then What Does Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Mean?
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritismay indicate that the patient has low level or undetectable levels of the rheumatoid factor. He may have a bone fracture or physical trauma in the first six months of diagnosis. About half of all RA patients are seronegative in the first six months of their illness. However, this level changes as the patient progresses and within 2 years they will no longer be testing negative.

Signs and Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that seronegative Rheumatism patients will display. They will complain of aches and pains and even inflammation in their joints. Their hips and knees will be the most affected. However, they may also have nodules which grow underneath of their skin. These will sometimes be visible on the body such as the knuckles.

Often, other areas of the body may also be affected. These areas may include the eyes and the lungs. Many patients also have dry mouth and dry eyes. This can lead to damage in the eyes and result in loss of vision.

The symptoms can be very challenging to fully diagnose and many patients will have a false negative in the early years of their condition. Doctors are always cautious when diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. If the doctor is unsure, he or she will want to take their time and make sure that they are getting an accurate diagnosis.

If It Isn't Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, What Could It Be?
When someone has Rheumatoid arthritis and they have a negative or seronegative result, they are always monitored more closely. Doctors used to believe that seronegative arthritis was a type of RA but now they believe otherwise.

There are 7 basic criteria for diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. Only one of these 7 criteria is a titer of RF. One in seven patients will not have any detectable levels of RF and they will be termed "seronegative".

There are over 100 types of arthritis. All of these can have symptoms that overlap. A few of the more common forms of seronegative arthritis include Osteoarthritis, bacterial Endocarditis, Reactive Arthritis and septic arthritis. Less common types include juvenile onset and adult onset forms of idiopathic arthritis as well as some brought about by bacteria such as Rheumatic Fever or Lyme arthritis.

To sum it up, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis means that the person doesn't have any of the significant levels of the rheumatoid factor. However, they may still have a form of the condition and it may just be less aggressive. They may at a later date develop the condition in full.

Spondylarthropathy
With so many symptoms, they may even have another form of arthritis. Experts have classified many different conditions that are very similar to arthritis but have a seronegative factor. One of these is Spondylarthropathy.It may also be referred to as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondylarthropathy, or BASE syndrome. A lot of the disorders falling under the heading of spondylarthropathy were at one point in time thought to be variants of RA.

These include such conditions as:

• reactive arthritis


• Ankylosing Spondylitis


• Psoriatic Arthritis


• enteropathic arthritis


• Whipple’s disease

These disorders are unique in that they do share a common root. They are also all inflammatory, autoimmune conditions that cause arthritis in various parts of the body.

Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondylarthropathy
While all of these conditions might have arthritis in common, there are also some huge differences between rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthropathy.

These are that spondylarthropathy is much more commonly found in men. And, that spondylarthropathy conditions frequently include complications besides arthritis, such as:

• Psoriasis


• eye diseases


• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)


• Canker Sores


• urethritis

Rheumatoid arthritis as well as spondylarthropathy may also be different in how they are presented in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis happens in the joints on both sides of your body. In spondylarthropathy, however, it's experienced asymmetrically. It also happens more in feet and ankles and not just the joints. It may also flare in the spine as well as tendons that are attached to bones.

How Can It Be Treated?
Sadly, there is no cure for either seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to note, however, that even though there isn't a cure, there are treatments like the following that can offer some relief:

• antibiotics for eye infections


• painkillers


• topical creams for psoriasis


• dietary changes for inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs)

If you are struggling with joint pain and think you may have arthritis, you have many options. Give your doctor a call and find out what you can do for your pain relief.

What Does Arthritis Feel Like?

What Does Arthritis Feel Like?

It's estimated that 20% of Americans are affected by arthritis in at least one joint, and it is more common among women, and occurs more frequently as people age. The disease sometimes develops from an injury, or after many years of use as the shock absorbing cartilage that normally cushions the joints wear away. What does arthritis feel like? It depends on which joint is affected, the type of arthritis, and how long the disease has had time to develop.

What Does Arthritis Feel Like?
In all types of arthritis, the area around a joint, such as the wrist, knee, or elbow, can become red, swollen, and tender to the touch. It may also feel warm, and people afflicted with arthritis explain that their condition puts limitations on both physical and social issues in their lives.

• Physical limitations: It affects their ability to walk more than short distances, lift or grasp objects, or their ability to bend over. As the arthritis progresses, it interferes with every aspect of daily life, such as using the toilet, and personal hygiene like grooming and bathing. Routine tasks become arduous, such as laundry, shopping, and household cleaning.


• Social limitations: Arthritis, and the Chronic Pain associated with it, also affects people's social and leisure activities, straining marriages and partnerships. A shift in care-giving responsibilities and impacts on sexual activities sometimes complicate matters further. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from arthritis may feel a loss of control and helplessness that often leads to Depression.

Personal Experiences with Arthritis

"When I get it in my spine, it's sharp and sudden inducing spasm. It hits randomly, but is worse at night. When it hits my hips, it's like a constant ache when I am walking; however, if I overextend/rotate it, the pain is sharp and sudden. For my fingers and toes, it's as if someone took a hammer to them, or I've jammed them in a door. They become hot, swollen, and almost unusable." - Dorothy

"What does arthritis feel like? My arthritis feels horrible as it hits me in a couple of different ways. Whenever the weather changes, the joints in my hands and knees feel like a bad toothache. If I overuse my weight-bearing joints at the hips, it feels like I'm grinding up glass shards." - Jim

"My arthritis can be anything from a gnawing ache to severe pain. I'm not sure why the intensity changes, but I think the weather makes a difference, overusing the joint, or maybe even what activity I am doing. The arthritis is my knees become worse when I climb the stairs, and they sometimes give out altogether. Of course bending over a lot tends to cause my lower back and hips to aching." - Mary

"It's really difficult to say…For me, the pain is sharp and extreme just like you've ripped your muscle! Or it feels like someone is hitting you really hard with a hammer." -Troy

"My pain always changes. It could be my feet and legs which feel a burning and pulling sensation. Or it could be my hands that feel so tight and sore that I couldn't even more my fingers." - Ritu

How to Describe Your Pain
To determine whether your pain is due to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, or another type of arthritis, your physician will ask you some questions about your pain, how it affects your body and life, when it happens, and how severe it gets. Your physician might also ask you to rate your pain on a scale from 1 (very little pain) to 10 (severe pain).

Before you speak with your physician, think about the words you'll use to describe your joint pain. Here are some terms that can help your physician to get the full picture. Pick the ones that most accurately describe your arthritis pain when asked, what does arthritis feel like?

• Aching: a continuous, sore pain


• Throbbing: feel pain in a series of regular beats


• Hot or burning: to feel heat or a physiologically similar sensation


• Sharp: piercing physical sensation or effect


• Shooting: sudden severe pains that move through the body


• Dull: is generally like a constant spread out pain


• Grinding: crackling or grating sensation and/or sound in the body

Early Symptoms of Arthritis


Still wondering "What does arthritis feel like?" Here're some early symptoms for different types ofarthritis that could help you to get a better idea of it.

1. Early Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis is degeneration of weight-bearing joint cartilage and the underlying bone, and with no cushioning to protect it, the joint swells and becomes hard to move. It causes pain and stiffness, especially in the knees, hips, and lower back, but also joints of the fingers and toes. Symptoms are often noticed in the morning, and it takes a few minutes for the joints to get moving again. Depending on the joint affected, osteoarthritis can make it difficult to walk, open jars, or even bend over.

2. Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
A chronic progressive disease called rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints that results in painful deformities and immobility, in the fingers, feet, wrists, and ankles. It causes pain and swelling, usually the small joints of the fingers and toes, or sometimes a lager joint, such as the knee or ankle. The disease is symmetrical, meaning that if your right big toe is swollen and painful, your left big toe will be as well. In addition to joint problems, other effects can include the skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels.

3. Early Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
An auto-immune disorder, Psoriatic arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. Psoriatic arthritis also affects some people who have Psoriasis, a condition that features red patches of skin and crumbling nails. The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Moreover, they can affect any part of your body, including your spine and fingertips, and can range from relatively mild to severe. However, with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, symptoms may alternate with periods of remission.

4. Early Gout Symptoms
Gout is a disease in which a faulty metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet with deposits of chalkstones (chalky deposit of sodium urate), and acute pain. Gout is also a complex form of arthritis that is characterized by severe and sudden attacks of pain, and tenderness in joints, often attacking the large joint of the big toe. Although men are more likely to get gout, women become increasingly susceptible to gout symptoms after menopause.