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Arthritis
Description
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are the most common
forms of this debilitating joint disease. Others include
ankylosing spondylitis, Gout, lupus and psoriatic arthritis
(see Psoriasis).
Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs
throughout the world and affects one to two per cent of
the population. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, which affects
a quarter of a million children and adolescents under 18,
is another auto-immune disease, whereby the body destroys
its own joints.
Osteoarthritis affects
some sixteen million Americans, usually those over the age
of 55. The symptoms include a gradual deterioration of the
joints, particularly if there has been athletic trauma.
The treatment includes replacement of one or both of the
weight bearing joints of the legs, hips and knees.
Herbs
Alfalfa (7)
Sarsaparilla
(8)
Nutritional Supplements
Fish Oil (1)
Garlic (2)
Glucosamine Sulphate (3,4)
Kelp
Selenium (9)
B Complex
Vitamin C (5)
Vitamin E (5)
Zinc (6, 9)
Homeopathy
Rhus tox.
Sprains, arthritis, and repetitive strain such as tennis
elbow.
Worse for damp conditions or immobility.
Characteristic stiff Pain on starting to move.
Merc sol.
General burning rheumatic Pains especially at night. Pain
may feel like it is "in the bones."
References
1. James MJ, et al. Dietary n-3 fatty acids and therapy
for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 27: 85-97,
1997.
2. Murray MT. Which is better: Aged versus fresh Garlic;
glucosamine sulfate versus chondroitin sulfate. Am J Natural
Med 1997;4:5-8.
3. Noack W, et al. Glucosamine sulfate in Osteoarthritis
of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2: 51-59, 1994.
4. Rovati, LC, et al. A large, randomized, placebo controlled,
double-blind study of glucosamine sulfate vs. Piroxicam
and vs. their association, on the kinetics of the symptomatic
effect in knee Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage
2(Suppl. 1): 56, 1994.
5. Schwartz ER. The modulation of osteoarthritic development
by vitamins C and E. Int J Vit Nutr Res(Suppl. 26): 141-146,
1984.
6. Simkin PA. Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with oral
Zinc sulfate. Agents Actions 1981;8(suppl):587-96.
7. Malinow MR, et al. Effect of Alfalfa saponins in the
management of arthritis. J Applied Nutr 1975; 27:45-50.
8. Ageel AM, Mossa JS, Al-Yahya MA, et al. Experimental
studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional
medicine. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1989;15:369-72. |
