Bee Sting Therapy for Arthritis pain relief…Is This a Joke.

by Mark John

As far back as 400 B.C., Hippocrates - the Greek physician, used bee venom to treat joint pain and swelling, in fact bee venom therapy has been with us since the birth of medicine itself. Reference’s to the treatment go all the way back to ancient Egypt and Greece. The medical or correct name for the procedure is ‘Apitherapy’, the technique is more widely used in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. Today many people still find this therapy helpful when addressing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA).

Bee venom contains an active substance called ‘Mellitin’, which is an anti-inflammatory agent known to be around one hundred times stronger than cortisone. Mellitin is known to stimulate the body’s release of the hormone cortisol as well as neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, all of which can help relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling of arthritis.

Anaphylaxis Shock

Perhaps apitherapy sounds like a good way to treat your arthritis pain, unfortunately bee stings are noted for triggering an allergic reactions called ‘Anaphylaxis’ or Anaphylaxis shock. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction, so maybe it’s worth re-considering.

Is Bee Venom A Proven Technique?

Apitherapy remains a largely unproven method, but having said that, a small number of doctors have reported some good results using the substance to treat arthritic conditions.

Treatments of bee venom therapy, probably originated after bee-keepers, who were stung many times, noticed their arthritis pain and inflammation was relieved. Some practitioners still use live bee stings to deliver the venom, however this unusual and not for the faint hearted.

Bee stings are by no means a cure-all & there’s no way of knowing if they will work for you, without trying, which could be dangerous without the appropriate medical supervision. And to cap it all, we shouldn’t forget bee stings are not pleasant.

If you do decide you would like to try bee stings, speak with your doctor. It’s important that you be prepared for a severe allergic reaction by having a bee sting allergy kit on hand - even if you’ve never reacted negatively to bee stings in the past. Although the side effects of bee-venom therapy usually are mild, an allergic reaction to a sting could potentially be deadly.

A Viable Option For My Arthritis ? or Not?

It’s true that bee stings may help your arthritis, but in my opinion should probably be avoided, due to the risk involved. The good news is Less barbaric natural methods exist and could prove far more user friendly and even more effective in relieving all kinds of arthritis pain and inflammation

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Learning About Rheumatoid Arthritis

by Bill Parker

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease whose symptoms include chronic inflammation or swelling of the joints. In the long term, it can lead to joint damage, pain, stiffness and problems with mobility. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease. That means that it may never go away. According to the Arthritis Foundation, it is also a systemic disease which means that Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect other systems or organs in your body. It is a very serious disease which needs early diagnosis and treatment in order to help you continue living as normally as possible.

No one knows the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, although most agree that it has to do with a dysfunction with the immune system which causes it to attack healthy tissue which then causes a degeneration of the joints as well as inflammation. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, so doctors aim to help patients stall the disease as long as possible while reducing inflammation and controlling pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis usually starts affecting the smaller joints in the hands and wrists. As the disease progresses, larger joints are affected. It is a symmetrical disease. If a joint in the right hand is affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis, then the same joint on the left hand will be affected. As the disease progresses in the joint, the cartilage, tendons and even bone may be affected. This can cause permanent deformity and instability in the affected joint.

It is fortunate that there isn’t a large amount of people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. The disease seems to strike more women than men, and generally the first symptoms are notice between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. On rare occasions, rheumatoid arthritis can even strike young children, and again affects more girls than boys.

Each case of rheumatoid arthritis is treated individually, since each case presents different challenges. Patients are given a host of medications, ones that slows down the rate of joint degeneration, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Since some of these drugs are steroid based the patient may also be given medication to improve the functioning of their immune systems. Doctors also may prescribe therapy to improve the functioning of the joints as well as relieve pain and swelling.

It is important to detect and start treating this disease in its early stages. Aggressive and early treatment can preserve your joints and minimize the impact of the disease. Today, there are many more treatment options available. Combinations of drugs can be used to help in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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Myth or Fact - Bee Sting Therapy Aids Arthritis pain relief..

by Mark John

As far back as around 400 B.C., Hippocrates - the Greek physician commonly referred to as the “father of medicine”, used bee venom to treat joint pain and swelling, in fact bee venom therapy has been around for thousands of years. Reference’s to the treatment can be found in ancient Egypt and Greek medical writings. Also known as apitherapy, the technique is more widely used in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. Today many people still find the stings of honeybees helpful when addressing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis.

Honeybee venom contains many active substances one of which is ‘Mellitin’, an anti-inflammatory agent which is known to be more than one hundred times stronger than cortisone. These substances stimulate the body’s release of the hormone cortisol as well as neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, all of which can help relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling of arthritis.

Caution…. Allergic Reactions

Perhaps apitherapy or bee sting therapy sounds like a viable option for your arthritis pain, well maybe it’s worth re-considering, you see unfortunately bee stings are noted for triggering an allergic reactions called ‘Anaphylaxis’ or Anaphylaxis shock in many people. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.

Is Bee Venom A Proven Method for treating Arthritis?

Although bee venom therapy is largely an unproven technique, a small number of U.S physicians have reported good results using the substance to treat arthritic conditions.

Treatments of honeybee venom therapy, or ‘Apitherapy’ supposedly started after bee-keepers, who were stung many times, noticed their arthritis pains were relieved. Some practitioners still use live bee stings to deliver the venom.

There’s really no way of knowing if bee sting therapy will work for you, without trying, which could result in an allergic reaction. For those of you who remain undeterred, the appropriate medical supervision should be sought.

If you do decide you would like to try bee stings, speak with your doctor. It’s important that you be prepared for a severe allergic reaction by having a bee sting allergy kit on hand - even if you’ve never reacted negatively to bee stings in the past. Although the side effects of bee-venom therapy usually are mild, an allergic reaction to a sting could potentially be deadly.

Is Bee Sting Therapy a Viable Option For My Arthritis ?

It’s true that apitherapy may indeed help your arthritis pain and inflammation, but at what cost?. Personally I think ‘Apitherapy’ should probably be avoided, this is just my opinion, but there is just to much risk involved for me. There are far less barbaric natural methods that prove far more effective in relieving arthritis pain and inflammation, so I think I’ll just skip the bee stings.

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More About Degenerative Arthritis

by Gary Pearson

Osteoarthritis, which is a type of arthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis and is the result of the wearing off of cartilage in one or more joints. The bones and joints are cushioned by a thick connective tissue known as the cartilage which protects them as well as helps not to rub against each other.

According to the data present more than 20 million Americans suffer from degenerative arthritis. It is also possible, according to the experts that this number will double or triple in the coming ten years when the baby boomers of today become older.

Degenerative arthritis tends to occur as we age. It affects more men before the age of 45, and more women after the age of 55. It occurs more frequently in females and in the U.S. all races are equally affected.

Degenerative arthritis in most cases strikes the feet, spine, hands as well as huge joints like knees and hips which bear weight.

Degenerative arthritis is divided into two main kinds, secondary and primary. One is more likely to get primary degenerative arthritis when the age increases and the cartilage starts wearing off. As it is seen in many people the condition is very serious as the cartilage breaks down completely resulting in rubbing between the bones which leads to inflammation, joint pain and swelling.

An individual can suffer from secondary degenerative arthritis as the consequence of some other medical condition like diabetes, gout or hormone disturbances. It is also possible to get degenerative arthritis if a person is overweight has had a number of surgeries or has some congenital abnormality.

It is only the joints and no other part of the body is affected by degenerative arthritis. When there is pain in the joint with redness and inflammation, there are chances that you are suffering from degenerative arthritis.

As a matter of fact signs of degenerative arthritis may differ from person to person and some may get incapacitated by the symptoms and others may not suffer as much. It is possible that you get the symptoms daily or once in a while.

As per now no particular treatment for degenerative arthritis has been found. There are some things which can give relief to people like weight loss, rest, exercise, some medicines as well as different types of therapy. There are different ways of taking medicines. You can apply it, take it orally or even take shots if the pain and inflammation becomes very severe.

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TMJ, TMD and a Flight out of JFK

by Christian Goodman

On a recent travel from New York to London, I overheard a lady on the plane telling her that her TMJ is bothering her so she needed water to take some aspirin.

When the flight attendant approached, she started to tell her story, of how she is overcome with pain every time her TMJ acts up, and how it always gets worse when she is flying.

I had to stop myself from telling her that we all have TMJ, because it is actually the temporomandibular joint, a unique joint on either side of our jaw formed by the union of our temporal bone (skull) and the mandible (lower jaw).

The actual pain that is encountered when our TMJ malfunctions is known as TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder (or dysfunction).

Acting as a “shock absorber” so to speak, the TMJ allows movement forward and backward, side to side and up and down. When the muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other tissues associated with them become stressed or inflamed, TMD can be the result.

This can cause an assortment of ailments including headaches, neck aches, back aches, swelling of the face, jaw pain, and an inability to chew or swallow without some degree of pain.

It isn’t clearly understood why TMD affects women in much larger numbers than men, but there are a number of studies which suggest that the frequent relief brought on by pregnancy is an indication that TMD is affected by hormonal changes in the body.

Again I resist telling that to my aisle mate, as I’m almost definite that she would rather take her aspirin than to get pregnant. On the other had, we do have a rather long flight ahead of us.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the nine months of relief during pregnancy is worth the morning sickness, labor, delivery, child rearing and college tuition. However, many experience the excruciating pain that pregnancy seems like a good alternative. For men who endure, along with those who cannot bear children anymore, arthritis medications may offer some relief.

Some report that ice or heat packs can bring temporary relief. But for extreme cases wherein even trying to open the mouth is too painful to do, surgery is often recommended.

But before giving in to such extreme degree, it would be prudent to note that some find it helpful to eat soft foods, avoid chewing gums, beef jerky or jawbreakers.

Avoid yawning and singing and remember that any extraneous movement such as chewing ice or holding the phone between your shoulder and your jaw should also be shunned.

Above all else, don’t disregard the possibility that simple stress can be the cause of your TMD. Together with stress, jaw clenching, teeth grinding and poor posture can also be the culprits.

These are all believed to contribute to our TMD problems. So before you choose surgery OR pregnancy, sit up straight, take a deep breath, throw away those gums, and just relax.

An even better source of relief is by using my program “TMJ No More”, an all-natural alternative to the conventional therapies. Just a few simple exercises done each day can remove your TMJ pain permanently!

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Where Will I Find Dog Cookie Pet Treats?

by Gary Pearson

Dog cookie pet treats are available on a number of online stores which supply items for animals. In this article a few of the dog cookie pet treats which are sold by them are listed for your convenience.

If you want natural oven baked stuff with excellent ingredients you can go for Canine Cookie Company dog pet treats. There is no extra salt or processed sugar in these dog treats but some of them are made sweet with molasses and corn syrup. You will be able to find a number of choices to treat your pet. BAGGED TREATS offer best value for the money and you can buy 10 ounce per bag at the price of $4.15.

Another internet store having dog food is Pet Smart. They include the following items

Great Choice Healthy Treats can be bought at $3.49.

Exclusively Dog Peanut Butter Flavor Sandwich Crme Dog Cookies sell for $1.99.

At $1.99 Exclusively Dog Vanilla Flavor Sandwich Crme Dog Cookies can be ordered, duplex Sandwich Crme Dog Cookies are can be got at identical price

Buy Exclusively Dog Best Buddy Bones Cheese Flavor dog treats at $1.99

These foods assist the pets who are suffering from arthritis and diabetes as the Old Dog Cookie Company provides treats which are made from natural ingredients. Some are very good for the health of the dog as they have herbal ingredients. Arthritis pain can be managed well and the cookies are especially good for old dogs. Old Dog Cookie Company started production in 1996. They were aiming to improve the life of old dogs suffering from arthritis, as well as dogs having diabetes. The company is committed to improving the life of your most loyal friend.

You can find more websites which have natural dog cookie pet treats for the canine, and the goods are made from natural ingredients. Many of them offer excellent but simple treat for the dogs. If you are looking for something special and interesting you can check out Rover. Go through the websites and you will get what you want.

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Looking For Arthritis Treatment Drugs?

by Don Pedro

If you have been looking for a way to treat your arthritis without success, you may now try acupuncture. Acupuncture has become a very popular method of treating arthritis. Many people who made use of this ancient Chinese way of treating pains called acupuncture can attest to the fact that it actually works on arthritis. But who knows whether it will work for you or not if you don’t try it out. My humble advice? If all else fails, I think you should try acupuncture.

When you go for acupuncture treatment for arthritis, about 20 needles could be stuck in your body to stimulate blood flow. Acupuncturist control arthritis pains by sticking the body with needles which could number up to 20. Not less than 20 sharp needles are inserted into the body to treat acupuncture.

To preserve the health of a rheumatoid arthritis victim, a balanced diet is vital. Always ensure you eat all that needs to be eaten and eat when you need to eat. The best way a rheumatoid patient can be managed is by providing the body with the right kind of food. Don’t eat just for the sake of eating. Good and balanced diet is the one way to keep a rheumatoid arthritis patient looking healthy.

If you think there’s only one kind of arthritis, think again. There are different types of arthritis. It is not usually easy to uncover the kind of arthritis disturbing an individual due to the various types. But thanks to more advanced systems of dealing with arthritis, doctors have become better at identifying the type of arthritis a patient is suffering from.

Artificial joints can be surgically put when arthritis has done irreparable damage to the bones. Doctors have successfully done joints replacement surgery to take care of arthritis. Where every attempt at arthritis management has failed, surgery can come handy to alleviate your joint problems. So, don’t worry if all the treatments you have taken for your arthritis hasn’t helped. I think it’s time to talk to your doctor about surgery.

Do you know anyone who has ankylosing spondylitis? Despite what people think, it’s not a death sentence. Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis abound and they can take the form of non-steroids anti-inflammatory drugs as well as other treatment methods. Usually, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is treated with physical therapy, NSAIDs as well as the right exercises. These methods have been proven to be very effective for sufferers all over the world.

Wondering which is the most effective arthritis drugs to take? Acetaminophen is one of the most effective drugs for arthritis pains. A good number of people suffering from arthritis have used and gotten relief from acetaminophen. You too can use acetaminophen and get relief from arthritis, but ensure you get your doctor’s approval before doing so.

I don’t know why it surprises lots of people when they hear that pets also suffer from arthritis. Because your pets cannot talk, it is advisable to study them for behavior change. Your dog or cat can only reveal arthritis pain if you are able to understand them. Paying attention to your pet’s behavior can help you understand if it is suffering from arthritis.

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Useful Hints On Cures For Arthritis

by Don Pedro

Arthritis is a disease of the joint that is affecting lots of people, especially the aged. Arthritis, as an inflammation of the joint, causes a great deal of pain in its victims.. Simply put anyone suffering from general swelling and pain in the joint could be suffering from arthritis. If you are, don’t waste time to see you doctor because the longer you wait, the worse it becomes.

There is no medically tested and proven permanent treatment for arthritis but there are many ways that you can manage the pain. If you are suffering from arthritis, be informed that while you cannot completely get rid of it, you can effectively manage it through many methods. In other words, there are many ways of keeping arthritis pains under control but no lasting cure exists.

The knees and fingers are usually the first places that are affected by rheumatoid arthritis. That’s why most sufferers of arthritis say the symptoms they experience of rheumatoid arthritis begins with the knees and fingers and spread to other parts of the body. So, as soon as you start experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to see your doctor at once.

Arthritis is more a disease of the joints but can affect other parts of the body as well. Some parts of your body can become swollen and very painful because of arthritis. Arthritis starts from the joints and spreads to other body parts. If you don’t currently suffer from arthritis, you may not appreciate how painful it can be - so learn all that can be learnt on how to not only prevent it but treat it effectively, if and when it happens to you.

The gait analysis is one way a doctor can determine if you are suffering from foot arthritis. Gait analysis is simply how you walk and the doctor can tell through the way you walk whether you have arthritis of the foot or not. Of course you can as well, but leave that to your doctor to determine. They are more experienced and can help you deal with the problem of arthritis on time.

Do you know any ankylosing spondylitis patients? These ankylosing spondylitis patients whose knees, hips and ankle are affected cannot be treated with NSAIDs drugs. Instead, sulfasalazine and methotrexate are often more effective with AS patients whose hips, knees, and ankles have been affected. So, don’t despair. When AS has reached the stage of affecting it’s sufferer’s hips and other particular joints, only drugs like methotrexate and sulfasalazine can actually help.

Over the counter products have been tested and proven to be effective in arthritis pain management. Taking drugs like ibuprofen can provide you with relief from arthritis pains. But always remember that if you are suffering from arthritis, let a doctor describe the pain relief that can help you, instead of guessing or listening to friends’ advise.

Gout arthritis is a kind of arthritis that can be treated and even prevented from re-occurring. When gout is diagnosed early, it can be permanently taken care of with the right kind of treatment. So, you shouldn’t worry one bit when you notice you have gout arthritis, but make sure you stick to your doctor’s advice and recommendation to get quick relief.

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Diet And Arthritis And Why You Need To Be Informed.

by Don Pedro

Arthritis is rated as the second highest health problem that causes disability. The highest numbers of people who have been rendered helpless by arthritis are approximated to have a higher percentage next to victims of heart disease. Besides heart disease, no other disease is as destructive as arthritis. At least, so say the experts.

For many generations, the Chinese have used acupuncture for arthritis pain relief. Most countries have for ages been using acupuncture to get relief for arthritis. If you can employ the use of acupuncture on your arthritis, you could get the needed pain relief.

When the arthritis bacterial has succeeded in infecting the joints and tendons, the pains could be excruciating. I know and really understand with arthritis sufferers because of the intensity of the pain. Patients of arthritis usually reach the stage of deformity when the joints and tendons are affected. That’s why it’s always said to NOT treat arthritis with kid gloves. Always rush to find a lasting solution and do all you can to manage the condition as best as possible. An arthritis patient could be rendered inactive when arthritis infection has reached the tendons as well as joints.

Have you ever heard of the American Arthritis Foundation? This is a wonderful organization that provides lots of information and therapies for victims of arthritis that work very well. For example, victims of Rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from the “Let’s Talk” RA communication kit from the American Arthritis Foundation, as the first step to managing their arthritis pains. Lots of people who have are happy with the results gotten.

Rheumatoid arthritis damages the joints. Besides damaging the joints, Rheumatoid arthritis can also destroy the muscles and lungs. When rheumatoid attacks the joints the most comfortable position is to bend the knee. However, it should always be strengthened to avoid having a stiff knee.

If you are suffering from arthritis, you should be aware that there are lots of very effective natural treatments that work. One of such is the treatment option with olive oil. Olive oil is one natural method for arthritis management that has proven effective over the years. Olive oil helps arthritis patients, especially when used with the right instructions.

Prescription medications can come handy as far as arthritis is concerned. If you are suffering from arthritis, your doctor can prescribe drugs like Vioxx or Rofecoxib. Other prescription medications for arthritis that work include Bextra and Celebrex.

Wondering about gout arthritis? The first signs of gout are usually between 45 and 55 years and are more common in men. Although gouty arthritis attacks both men and women, it is more regular in men of above 45 years of age. Women are more prone to gout after menopause but men can be affected anytime.

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Effective Arthritis Information

by James Redder

Arthritis is a disease that brings on stiffness and pain with swelling and it affects the muscles and the bones, especially the joints where it causes the most damage. The bones are protected in the joints by tissue called cartilage which acts as a buffer between the ends. The cells that the cartilage is made up of are known as the chondrocytes and function just like other glands and organs in the body. All chondrocytes will die and are usually replaced by new cartilage cells.

However, over an extended period of time, the inflammation can kill more of the cartilage cells than the body is able to replace. This happens when the body is not healthy and suffers from malnutrition, injury can also be another cause. The condition causes damage where instability, deformities and joint weakness can obstruct daily life. Generally, arthritis can be treated with physical therapy, medication, and changes to the lifestyle the individual is used to living. If all zero or less intrusive interventions give no relief then as a last option joint replacement surgery can be used.

Arthritis is divided into two main categories, i.e. localized and generalized depending on areas affected; it is further subdivided into sub-categories. The two localized conditions are bursitis and tendonitis; they affect the soft tissues surrounding the bones and joints. It could just be that the localized conditions could manifest themselves in just one of two joints being affected. It could also be that the patient is affected in a more general sense with no arthritis inflammation or signs of swelling. Fibromyalgia, even though it isn’t associated with joint damage, is a very common form which can be placed under this particular category.

The next condition in the second sub category causes inflammation which affects the whole body. Gout, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of this condition. Still other generalized situations include polymyositis, involving muscles, systemic lupus erythematosus involving the skin, kidneys and or other organs and vasculitis where any organ is involved.

A person can have more than one type of arthritis and it includes more than 100 medical conditions that affect approximately 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States. Osteoarthritis is a condition mostly noticed in adults over 60 years, however, it can start at infancy too. The number of people suffering out of this condition is increasing proportionally with the increasing average age of the American population; with old age setting in people suffering with arthritis is increasing day by day.

Within the United States arthritis, as well as several related illnesses are known to be the cause of major disability and it cost over one hundred and twenty four billion dollars each year in indirect expenses and medical care expenses. Maintaining the right weight, eating fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and D are simple but effective measures to prevent and arrest osteoporosis, Consumption of calcium is very important, adults must consume about 1000-1500mg calcium every day, exercising daily is a must and one must avoid injuries that may damage the joints.

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