Articles on Arthritis and Back Pain

Arthritis Relief Without Harmful Drugs

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs as a result of your immune system causing inflammation of the lining of a joint and the tissues surrounding it. It affects more than 350,000 people in the UK and can occur at any age. RA may be very mild with few symptoms, but for about one in 20 people it affects many joints and can be severe and disabling. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes painkillers and medicines to reduce inflammation and prevent the disease's progression.

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. Usually your body's immune system produces white cells and proteins called antibodies to destroy foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. With autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakes your own tissue as foreign and attacks it, leading to inflammation.

In RA, your body's immune system attacks the lining of your joints (synovial membrane). The disease may also cause inflammation of the sheaths around your tendons. Eventually, this causes thinning of the cartilage that covers the ends of your bones, and may lead to the bone being worn away.

 Published by Bupa's health information team, August 2007.  See the full Fact Sheet HERE

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis - every year about two million people in the UK see their GP about it. Osteoarthritis causes your joints to become stiff and painful. It's estimated that over eight million people in the UK are living with osteoarthritis. You are more likely to get it if you are over 40, although it can occur if you are younger. Women are more at risk than men. You can take measures to relieve the symptoms and medicines may also help.

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. You can think of osteoarthritis as a "wear and tear" disease. It usually affects your knees or hips, but can occur in your hands, feet and spine. It causes the cartilage on the end of your bones to get rougher and thinner. The bone beneath compensates by thickening and growing outwards, creating outgrowths (osteophytes). These make your knees look knobbly. The capsule around the joint also thickens and becomes inflamed.

Published by Bupa's health information team, August 2007.  See the full Fact Sheet HERE 

Celebrex Safety

NRAS views with concern the news released by Pfizer that in one of their recent studies of the COX II drug, Celebrex, an increased incidence of heart attacks and strokes has been noted. As a result the trial has been suspended, however the drug has not been withdrawn from the market. Professor Isenberg, the President of the BSR has stated, “On the balance of evidence at present available, it seems unlikely that those without a history of heart disease or those that have been taking Celebrex for less than a year are at any significant risk.’

Celebrex is an anti-inflammatory drug belonging to a class of drugs called Cox II inhibitors which have shown in clinical trials to be less likely to cause gastro bleeds than conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and are therefore considered to be generally safer. However, no drugs are without side effects and we all have to weigh up the benefit/risk associated with any drug we are prescribed in consultation with our healthcare providers. People should be re-assured that there are a range of alternative drugs to Celebrex for pain and inflammation relief which NRAS would recommend members to seek information and advice about from your Doctor.

In summary NRAS would like to reinforce the advice given by the British Society for Rheumatology to seek advice from a Doctor as soon as possible to find an alternative treatment if you are concerned about your medication. If you would like further information from NRAS, please call our Help Line on 01628 823524
The society would recommend that those looking for further guidance should see the advice produced by the MHRA

From the Website of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

Magnetic Therapy

"NHS accountants are so impressed by the cost-effectiveness of a “magnetic leg wrap” called 4UlcerCare that from Wednesday doctors will be allowed to prescribe it to patients.
Magnetic therapy, which was pioneered in ancient Egypt, has become one of the pillars of modern alternative medicine. Its adherents include Cherie Blair, Bill Clinton and Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor.
Although its merits are challenged by traditional medics, it is used to treat joint pains, sports injuries, backache, muscle soreness and period pain."

  From The Sunday Times, February 26, 2006. Read the full article HERE 

Yoga

The ancient practice of yoga goes back thousands of years. Now an exciting new Arthritis Research Campaign clinical trial hopes to find out if its powers can be harnessed to improve that most  modern of painful complaints; low back pain. Find the full article, reproduced by kind permission of the Arthritis Research Campaign

Yoga is often in the headlines these days every time the latest celebrity declares themselves to be a convert. Madonna, Sting and Gwyneth Paltrow all claim to be devotees. But yoga has been around for more than 5,000 years, originating in India and spreading to the west over the past century or so. More and more of us are setting out our yoga mats in church halls, institutes and sports clubs, emerging an hour or two later with our postures straighter, muscles stronger and minds pleasantly relaxed, more able to face the rigours of everyday life.