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Arthritis Pain: A FAST Guide to Relief
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Have you ever wondered it is that causes your arthritis pain and what the factors involved in pain are? If you understand how arthritis pain 'works', it empowers you to take action in order to relieve the pain you are experiencing. At the end of this guide, you will know how pain works what you can do about your pain.
There are various chemicals involved with causing arthritis pain and inflammation. Amongst others, these are prostaglandins, interleukins and immunoglobulins.
Interestingly, prostaglandins and interleukins are manufactured from the fats found in meat and dairy. This means that excessive meat in your diet can promote (or at least make possible) the production of these pain causing chemicals in your body. If your arthritis has a severe flare-up, it is a good idea to cut out meat and dairy for a few days and to stick to a vegetarian diet. This should calm the inflammation and arthritis pain.
When it comes to inflammation, there are three enzymes involved. These are called COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX. COX-1 is a 'good' enzyme because it is involved in protecting the stomach lining and the kidneys. COX-2 is the 'bad' enzyme because it promotes inflammation and thins out the blood. Blocking out COX-1 will reduce inflammation and arthritis pain, but you are left with the problem of damage to the stomach lining that could lead to ulcers. Blocking out COX-2 also relieves inflammation, but can lead to blood clotting.
Most NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and pain killers like aspirin, paracetemol (Tylenol) and ibuprofen blocks both COX-1 and COX-2, logically leading to the above problems. The most common problem is damage the stomach lining, the kidneys and the liver. As medical science developed, the thinking was geared towards finding a pain killing drug that only blocks the 'bad' COX-2.
Consequently, drugs like Vioxx came onto the scene, because it only blocks COX-2. But, 5 years after Vioxx appeared, the manufacturers withdrew it from the market. These types of drugs became linked to causes of heart attack and stroke when used on the long term. The fact is that blocking off any enzyme in the body over a long period of time can have bad side-effects.
The other enzyme involved in arthritis pain and inflammation, 5-LOX, has not really received a lot of attention. Some drug combinations blocking 5-LOX and COX were found to be effective. However, the blocking of these enzymes seems to lead to some kind of breakdown of tissue in the body. In the case of arthritis, the synovial membrane, cartilage and bone begin to wear away and change shape. Using anti-inflammatory drugs are fine if they are used over a short period to treat an injury, for example. But for a disease like arthritis, that requires sustained long term use of a pain killing medication, it can lead to adverse side-effects.
The conclusion is therefore that anti-inflammatory drugs do well to treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation, but does nothing to address the cause of arthritis pain. Inflammation affects the whole body- that is why rheumatoid arthritis is called a systemic disease. Finding ways to treat the underlying causes of the body in its 'state of alarm' is the most effective long term strategy in treating arthritis pain. There are various factors that could cause arthritis and inflammation.
Factors That Cause Inflammation:
A Toxic Liver
The wrong balance of bacteria in the gut can cause bacterial, fungal and parasitic infection, leaky gut syndrome and allergies. A 'leaky gut' allows all kind of proteins and toxins into the blood stream. Your liver has the task of dealing with these excessive amounts of toxins. When the liver can't cope, it can lead to allergies, inflammation and ultimately, arthritis pain. What the liver needs are anti-oxidants like vitamins A,C and E, selenium and zinc. Anti-oxidants will empower the liver to cope with the detoxification process in the body.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to help control blood sugar levels. People with diabetes and insulin resistance do not react to insulin like they should-they become insensitive to insulin. Insulin transports glucose to the cells of the body. If you are insulin-resistant, your body has to produce much more insulin to get enough glucose to the cells.
This often results in too much glucose in the blood. Too much glucose and insulin doesn't only tax the liver, but it can damage the cells of the body, leading to an inflammatory response of the body. More inflammation means increased arthritis pain. The sharp rise in blood sugar is often followed by a sharp drop because of all the insulin hanging around in the blood. To try and raise the levels, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which can also cause inflammation. It is a bad cycle to be in.
Allergies and Leaky Gut Syndrome
Food allergies commonly cause inflammation and arthritis pain in the body. The guilty foods are often dairy, wheat and yeast products like bread and beer. The irony is that NSAIDs (painkillers) often damage the intestinal wall, allowing unwanted proteins to leak into the blood stream, causing even more inflammation. Allergies are closely linked to 'leaky gut syndrome' or gastrointestinal permeability. This is condition occurs when the small intestines lets harmful toxins, microbes, and proteins into the blood stream, causing the body's immune system to cause an inflammatory response. Leaky gut is often at the core of most food allergies. This is because allergies to foods like wheat may increase the permeability of the intestines, allowing more toxins etc to enter the blood. Allergies in the intestines can also reduce the absorption of key anti-oxidant nutrients. The more permeable the gut becomes over time, the more the inflammation becomes. Chronic inflammation leads to a compromised immune system and this can lead to diseases like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Typically, the fist thing we reach for are NSAIDs, which only irritates the intestines more, worsening the whole situation. Following a diet low in wheat and dairy, as well as supplementing with vitamins A,C and Zinc can help to reduce gut permeability and ultimately, your arthritis pain. You can test whether you have leaky gut syndrome. Contact your nearest nutritional therapist for advise on where to get a test kit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is logical to conclude that to prevent arthritis pain and inflammation, the best strategy is to avoid dietary habits that cause the inflammation to increase.
Keep NSAIDs and steroids to an absolute minimum; they ultimately make things worse.
Furthermore, it is a good idea to look towards natural supplements that can act as pain killers and reduce inflammation naturally.
Relieve your pain the fast, natural way. Follow the link below to read about a highly recommended supplement that contains natural pain killers and other powerful ingredients that will lower the inflammation. This supplement also contains ingredients that will repair damaged cartilage and improve your mobility.
Read Full Article, Click Here Now ....
There are various chemicals involved with causing arthritis pain and inflammation. Amongst others, these are prostaglandins, interleukins and immunoglobulins.
Interestingly, prostaglandins and interleukins are manufactured from the fats found in meat and dairy. This means that excessive meat in your diet can promote (or at least make possible) the production of these pain causing chemicals in your body. If your arthritis has a severe flare-up, it is a good idea to cut out meat and dairy for a few days and to stick to a vegetarian diet. This should calm the inflammation and arthritis pain.
When it comes to inflammation, there are three enzymes involved. These are called COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX. COX-1 is a 'good' enzyme because it is involved in protecting the stomach lining and the kidneys. COX-2 is the 'bad' enzyme because it promotes inflammation and thins out the blood. Blocking out COX-1 will reduce inflammation and arthritis pain, but you are left with the problem of damage to the stomach lining that could lead to ulcers. Blocking out COX-2 also relieves inflammation, but can lead to blood clotting.
Most NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and pain killers like aspirin, paracetemol (Tylenol) and ibuprofen blocks both COX-1 and COX-2, logically leading to the above problems. The most common problem is damage the stomach lining, the kidneys and the liver. As medical science developed, the thinking was geared towards finding a pain killing drug that only blocks the 'bad' COX-2.
Consequently, drugs like Vioxx came onto the scene, because it only blocks COX-2. But, 5 years after Vioxx appeared, the manufacturers withdrew it from the market. These types of drugs became linked to causes of heart attack and stroke when used on the long term. The fact is that blocking off any enzyme in the body over a long period of time can have bad side-effects.
The other enzyme involved in arthritis pain and inflammation, 5-LOX, has not really received a lot of attention. Some drug combinations blocking 5-LOX and COX were found to be effective. However, the blocking of these enzymes seems to lead to some kind of breakdown of tissue in the body. In the case of arthritis, the synovial membrane, cartilage and bone begin to wear away and change shape. Using anti-inflammatory drugs are fine if they are used over a short period to treat an injury, for example. But for a disease like arthritis, that requires sustained long term use of a pain killing medication, it can lead to adverse side-effects.
The conclusion is therefore that anti-inflammatory drugs do well to treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation, but does nothing to address the cause of arthritis pain. Inflammation affects the whole body- that is why rheumatoid arthritis is called a systemic disease. Finding ways to treat the underlying causes of the body in its 'state of alarm' is the most effective long term strategy in treating arthritis pain. There are various factors that could cause arthritis and inflammation.
Factors That Cause Inflammation:
A Toxic Liver
The wrong balance of bacteria in the gut can cause bacterial, fungal and parasitic infection, leaky gut syndrome and allergies. A 'leaky gut' allows all kind of proteins and toxins into the blood stream. Your liver has the task of dealing with these excessive amounts of toxins. When the liver can't cope, it can lead to allergies, inflammation and ultimately, arthritis pain. What the liver needs are anti-oxidants like vitamins A,C and E, selenium and zinc. Anti-oxidants will empower the liver to cope with the detoxification process in the body.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to help control blood sugar levels. People with diabetes and insulin resistance do not react to insulin like they should-they become insensitive to insulin. Insulin transports glucose to the cells of the body. If you are insulin-resistant, your body has to produce much more insulin to get enough glucose to the cells.
This often results in too much glucose in the blood. Too much glucose and insulin doesn't only tax the liver, but it can damage the cells of the body, leading to an inflammatory response of the body. More inflammation means increased arthritis pain. The sharp rise in blood sugar is often followed by a sharp drop because of all the insulin hanging around in the blood. To try and raise the levels, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which can also cause inflammation. It is a bad cycle to be in.
Allergies and Leaky Gut Syndrome
Food allergies commonly cause inflammation and arthritis pain in the body. The guilty foods are often dairy, wheat and yeast products like bread and beer. The irony is that NSAIDs (painkillers) often damage the intestinal wall, allowing unwanted proteins to leak into the blood stream, causing even more inflammation. Allergies are closely linked to 'leaky gut syndrome' or gastrointestinal permeability. This is condition occurs when the small intestines lets harmful toxins, microbes, and proteins into the blood stream, causing the body's immune system to cause an inflammatory response. Leaky gut is often at the core of most food allergies. This is because allergies to foods like wheat may increase the permeability of the intestines, allowing more toxins etc to enter the blood. Allergies in the intestines can also reduce the absorption of key anti-oxidant nutrients. The more permeable the gut becomes over time, the more the inflammation becomes. Chronic inflammation leads to a compromised immune system and this can lead to diseases like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Typically, the fist thing we reach for are NSAIDs, which only irritates the intestines more, worsening the whole situation. Following a diet low in wheat and dairy, as well as supplementing with vitamins A,C and Zinc can help to reduce gut permeability and ultimately, your arthritis pain. You can test whether you have leaky gut syndrome. Contact your nearest nutritional therapist for advise on where to get a test kit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is logical to conclude that to prevent arthritis pain and inflammation, the best strategy is to avoid dietary habits that cause the inflammation to increase.
Keep NSAIDs and steroids to an absolute minimum; they ultimately make things worse.
Furthermore, it is a good idea to look towards natural supplements that can act as pain killers and reduce inflammation naturally.
Relieve your pain the fast, natural way. Follow the link below to read about a highly recommended supplement that contains natural pain killers and other powerful ingredients that will lower the inflammation. This supplement also contains ingredients that will repair damaged cartilage and improve your mobility.
