By Edward A. Ullmann

The Arthritis Syndrome

Normal living/injury/genetics/aging --->breakdown of cartilage that forms a cushion between the ends of bones ---> mild to crippling pain and stiffness.

FACTS

• Arthritis is a complex disease that affects more than 43 million Americans, one out of every six of us, and 50% of people over age 65. By 2020, as the baby boomer generation ages, this number may grow to over 60 million.


• Arthritis has no one cause. Rather, there may be more than 100 different causes. Prime causes: genetics, aging, and joint injuries.


• There are at least 27 different types of arthritis. Most common:




• Osteoarthritis (OA) or inflammation of the joints. Most painful in the hands, fingers, knees, hips, spine and heels. Impacts all ages. Over 23 million Americans suffer from it. Number one reason for joint replacement surgery.


• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a long-lasting disease and form of autoimmune disorder. 70% of RA patients are over 30 years old and women. Affects 2 million Americans.




• Arthritis is the leading cause of movement limitation and disability.


• Rates of arthritis are higher among women, older persons, rural population and those with low education and low income. Lower for individuals living in the western regions of the United States.


• Arthritis impacts whites and blacks equally (15.5%); Hispanics 11.3%; and Asians 7.5% to a lesser degree.


• While symptoms (pain, stiffness and swelling) can be helped, most types of arthritis cannot be cured.


• Prevention is key especially early detection of ones genetic risk factors.


• Arthritis can also be a symptom of other treatable diseases including infections, lyme disease, lupus and Reiter's disease.


• Conventional medical treatment typically addresses arthritis with a regimen of cortisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Goal: Reduce pain and inflammation; increase joint mobility and improve strength.


• Be careful with long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). According to Dr. James Braly, allergy specialist in Boca Raton, Florida, overuse or abuse of these drugs can actually accelerate the destruction of joint tissue over time (by preventing new, healthy connective tissue in the joints from being formed) and do serious damage to the digestive tract causing bleeding or perforation.


• Arthritis does not have to be degenerative. According to Gus Prosch, MD, a physician in Birmingham, Alabama, the disease can be slowly reversed with a commitment to alternative treatments that include a complete program of diet, nutritional supplements, stress management, detecting and eliminating food allergies, and removal of harmful microorganisms such as fungus candida and toxic overload (including heavy metals) from the body.

SELF-HELP TIPS

• Exercise should become part of the daily routine for all arthritis sufferers. Goal: Balance of motion, strengthening and endurance exercises. Go slow, consult with health professionals for guidance on developing a safe exercise program, have patience and maintain a positive state of mind. Aquatic exercise program best.


• Walking reduces the pain of knees and heels by strengthening the muscles around the joints. You may need to exercise every other day to give joints time to recover.


• All exercise benefits the heart muscle, helps manage fatigue and burns calories.


• Watch you weight; obesity puts stress on knee, hip and other affected joints. Losing just 11 pounds may cut one's arthritis risk by 50%!


• Don't be embarrassed to use a cane, crutch or guide if needed.


• Stress increases arthritis pain by tightening muscles. Control stress through relaxation techniques and lifestyle changes.


• Learn self-administrated acupressure for joint-by-joint pain relief.


• Maintain alkaline blood chemistry and tissue PH (versus unhealthy acid PH).


• Water, water, water! Drink two quarts per day.


• Remove toxic overload, including heavy metals, from the body.


• Test for and treat fungal, bacterial and viral microorganisms, such as the fungus candida, that may be causing or complicating the disease.


• Do a dietary check-in. Increase amount of whole, unprocessed foods you eat. Reduce potential inflammatory foods such as coffee, alcohol, chocolate and dairy products. Be aware of food sensitivities or allergies especially to tomatoes peppers, eggplants and potatoes. Recommendation: See a certified nutritionist.


• Suggested supplements to help relieve arthritis symptoms:
  
  
  
  • B Vitamins (niacin, folic acid, B 12)
  
  
  • Vitamins C and D. Typical dosage: C - 250-500 mgs per day; D - 500 IV per day.
  
  
  • Vitamin E. Typical dosage: 400-600 IV per day.
  
  
  • Boran. Recommended dosage: 3 mgs per day.
  
  
  • Calcium. Typical dosage: 1000 mgs per day.
  
  
  • Silica
  
  
  • Glucosamine Sulfate (main component of cartilage in joints). Typical dosage: 500-1500 mgs per day
  
  
  • Selenium. Typical dosage: 200 micrograms per day.
  
  
  • Cetyl Myristoleate
  
  
  • Herbal remedies including Cayenne and other Peppers, Evening Primrose, Flaxseed Oil, Stirging Nettle, Ginger, Devil's Claw, Green Tea, Feverfew, Turmeric, Yucca, Willow, Mahaurrayan Oil, Guggul, Boswellia and Pineapple.
  
  
  
  


• Mineral Therapy: Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Sulfur (S), Magnesium (Mg Daily regiment of essential enzymes during meals.


• Liquid administration of supplements, herbal remedies and mineral therapy is more effective than administration by pills, tablets or capsules.


• Health professionals who treat arthritis with nutritional therapy see the condition as a metabolic disorder or a break down in the body's ability to regenerate bone and cartilage in addition to genetics and aging.

VISIT WARM MINERAL SPRINGS - The Original Fountain of Youth, North Port, Florida

For arthritis suffers who can regularly visit this world-renowned 1.4-acre warm mineral spring (87 degrees year round), you won't be disappointed.

• Exercise with ease. The natural buoyancy of the water gently lifts the pressure off your joints, while still allowing one to work their muscles. Even aerobic dance and hopping up and down may become a reality again!


• Safely focus on strengthening the quadriceps, the big muscle in front of each thigh. Small increases in quadriceps strength (20% in men and 25% in women) can reduce QA risk by 20%.


• Warm water raises the body temperature, which increases the circulation and can help ease stiffness.


• Warm water provides greater resistance than air, helping to build muscle strength.


• Warm Mineral Springs has the highest concentration of minerals of any water in the United States and third highest of any water in the world. It is a very old spring with profound preservation properties due to the anaerobic (no oxygen), antibiotic, and highly mineralized properties of the water. Soaking in the mineral waters provide great benefits for both external (skin, mucous membranes, etc.) and internal health challenges (arthritis, pain management, relaxation, swelling, etc.). It appears that individual minerals are absorbed through the skin and into the body's blood chemistry for travel to all organs, tissues, joints and cells. What the body doesn't use, it removes. Experts also suggest that minerals may have the ability to adhere to toxins within the body, which are then released back into the mineral water.


• Natural alkaline waters. Great for increasing the Ph of the blood and tissues.


• Highly mineralized warm water relaxes both mind and muscles. Recharge and rejuvenate!


• Mineralized mud from spring great for external use on painful joints. Mineralized bath salts great for total body pain relief and relaxation.


• Precautions:
  
  
  
  • Take periods of rest. No more than 20-30 minutes per hour in the mineral spring is recommended.
  
  
  • Drink lots of water throughout the day.
  
  
  
  

GENERAL DISCLAIMER :

The information contained in this document is provided solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper medical care provided by a physician. We assume no responsibility for any circumstances arising out of the use, misuse, interpretation or application of any information provided. Always consult with your health care professional for appropriate examinations, treatments, testing, diagnosis, care recommendations, and for answers to your personal questions. Do not rely on this information as a tool for self-diagnosis.