Rheumatoid Arthritis

Definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

A long-term, destructive connective tissue disease that results from the body rejecting its own tissue cells (autoimmune reaction).

Topics Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Addison's Disease

...the condition
“...Secondary adrenal insufficiency can result from prolonged or improper use of glucocorticoid hormones, such as prednisone, which are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and other inflammatory illnesses...”

Alcohol Consumption

...as a treatment
“...Sensible drinking also appears to be beneficial in reducing or preventing diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures and osteoporosis, kidney stones, digestive ailments, stress and depression, poor cognition and memory, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis A, pancreatic cancer, macular...”
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More topics Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Alfalfa

...as a treatment
“...It has been said that it helps reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions...”

Anemia

...the condition
“...The common types of anemia are ... Anemia caused by chronic disease, such as HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis...”

Arthritis

...related topic
“...It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis, the most common form, is characterized by a gradual loss of cartilage and often an overgrowth of bone at the joints.”

Autoimmune Disease

...related topic
“...Examples include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Bright's disease and diabetes.”

Bilberry

...as a treatment
“...They have been used successfully in both osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis.  The uses for bilberry extracts will continue to increase as we understand its flavonoids more completely.”

Boils, Abscesses, Carbuncles

...the condition
“...Any boil or abscess in a patient with diabetes or a patient with an underlying illness (such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)  should be seen by a doctor...”

Boswellia

...as a treatment
“...Historically, the guggals were recommended by Ayurvedic physicians for a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diarrhea, dysentery, pulmonary disease, and ringworm...”

Cancer, General

...our question about Vegetarian, vegan or raw-food diet
“There has long been suspicion that components of meat and dairy were absorbed intact through the human digestive tract, triggering autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and childhood diabetes as our bodies try to fight off these foreign substances...”

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

...related topic
“...Symptoms may result from a blow, overuse, swelling, a tumor, rheumatoid arthritis, or a small carpal tunnel that squeezes the nerve...”

Celery

...as a treatment
“...Celery seeds have been used as diuretics, sedatives, anti-convulsants, anti-hypertensives, and for relief of rheumatoid arthritis.  Any of these applications seems to be supported by historical evidence, and celery seeds are considered to be safe, but it is listed as "Unapproved" by the German Commission E...”

Chronic Inflammation

...the condition
“...This is true regardless of whether the injury results from a cut, burn, bruise, infection, or even an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.  The inflammatory response includes redness, swelling and an increased local supply of white blood cells...”
...recommendation Therapeutic Fasting
“Fasting promotes the resolution of inflammatory processes, as seen, for example, in rheumatoid arthritis.”

Chronic Thyroiditis

...the condition
“...Other autoimmune diseases are frequently seen in these patients, such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE (lupus), and Sjogren's syndrome...”

Cold Applications (Cryotherapy)

...as a treatment
“...Cryotherapy is contraindicated when the following are conditions are present ... Rheumatoid arthritis / Rheumatism...”

Collagen Vascular Disease

...the condition
“...Several collagen vascular diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis, are more common in women than men...”

Crohn's Disease

...the condition
“...Complications include Peritonitis, Gastrointestinal bleeding, Impaired intestinal absorption, Amyloidosis, Arthritis – synovial fluid similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis, but with negative rheumatoid factor, Ankylosing spondylitis.”

DMSO Topically

...as a treatment
“...We use it for all sorts of inflammatory conditions, from people with rheumatoid arthritis to people with chronic low back inflammatory-type symptoms, silicon immune toxicity syndromes and any kind of autoimmune process...”

Effects of a High Fat Diet

...the condition
“...Increased consumption of omega-3 oils are recommended to help reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual syndrome, dermatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.”

Evening Primrose Oil

...as a treatment
“...OEP is also believed by some to decrease the risk of other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis.  The oil of Evening Primrose has been sought after due to its content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)...”

Excessive Sweating

...the condition
“...Other people may have sweating as a symptom of known medical conditions, such as ... rheumatoid arthritis...”

Felty's Syndrome

...related topic
“A group of abnormal changes (such as an enlarged spleen, frequent infections, and a decreased white blood cell count) that accompanies rheumatoid arthritis.”

Fish Oils

...as a treatment
“...Fish oil has also become recognized as an effective treatment for early stages of rheumatoid arthritis.  It appears to significantly reduce symptoms without side-effects and may magnify the benefits of standard arthritis drugs...”

Ginger Root

...as a treatment
“...Rheumatoid arthritis: It has traditionally been used to help inflammatory joint diseases such as arthritis...”

GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid)

...as a treatment
“...of the same medicinal uses: borage oil is one of the three major supplemental sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a polyunsaturated fat that is used to treat a number of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)...”

Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease

...the condition
“...activity); Chronic myalgia (muscle aches); Migrating joint pain (without injury); Frequent muscle spasms (especially in the legs); A Fibromyalgia diagnosis; An autoimmune arthritis diagnosis (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjogren's); Bone pain; Growing pains; Osteoporosis or osteopenia; Metabolism, Reproductive and Hormonal...”

Green Tea

...as a treatment
“...Although there is no epidemiologic data, anecdotal evidence indicates that people in countries where green tea is consumed are far less likely to have rheumatoid arthritis People who drink Green Tea on a daily basis on average have unusually low rates of heart disease and cancer, and they also live longer...”

Hearing Loss

...relationship to Rheumatoid Arthritis
“Rarely, rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints between the ossicles and can cause conductive hearing loss.”

Histidine

...as a treatment
“...Necessary the growth and repair of tissues; found in hemoglobin; used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, ulcers and anemia.”

Hot Applications (Thermotherapy)

...as a treatment
“...Types of arthritis that may benefit from thermotherapy include ... Rheumatoid arthritis...”

Hypersplenism

...the condition
“...Secondary hypersplenism results from another disease such as chronic malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, or polycythemia vera, a blood disorder...”

Indian Long Pepper

...as a treatment
“...stroke; liver toxicity; jaundice; promoting weight loss; reducing body fat; preventing lung disorders; supporting skeletal function; increasing bone strength; slowing the aging process; anemia; rheumatoid arthritis; tuberculosis; malaria; insect bites; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); hiccups; increasing breast milk production; Indian long pepper interacts with certain drugs, such as...”

Iritis

...the condition
“...These are called connective tissue diseases and include: rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, lupus, scleroderma, Behcet's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and B-27 disease...”
...related topic
“...This is a face of rheumatoid arthritis seldom diagnosed, along with rheumatoid otitis...”

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

...the condition
“Alternative names: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that always involves the joints, but may produce extensive connective tissue and visceral lesions...”
...relationship to Lyme Disease
“Lyme disease was "discovered" in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975 because of the perseverance of Polly Murray, a homemaker who thought that too much Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) was being diagnosed in her community...”

LDN - Low Dose Naltrexone

...as a treatment
“...The following diseases have been benefited by LDN use according to Dr. Bernard Bihari, MD.  ... Rheumatoid Arthritis...”

Lei Gong Teng

...as a treatment
“...A randomized, double-blind trial involving 70 rheumatoid arthritis patients reported in 2000 that approximately 90% of the patients experienced significant improvement after treatment...”

Low Back Pain

...recommendation Boswellia
“...It is the first herbal remedy to have documented clinical evidence that it is useful in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, soft tissue rheumatism and myositis symptoms.”

Lyme Disease

...the condition
“...The patient is currently on or has previously taken anti-inflammatory steroidal drugs (such as those taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis) or certain anticancer drugs...”

Neck Arthritis

...the condition
“...While cervical arthritis tends to affect men more often than women, its symptoms may be similar to those produced by two conditions seen more frequently in women: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis...”

Neutropenia

...the condition
“...In addition to those listed below, other causes include ... Felty's syndrome (characterized by the combination of rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly and neutropenia)...”

Neutrophilia

...relationship to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases can cause neutrophilia.”

Olive Leaf Extract

...as a treatment
“...Olive leaf extract can be helpful in the treatment of the common cold, flu, chronic fatigue, cold sores (herpes), possibly HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ear infections, eye infections, nose and throat infections, impetigo, pink eye, parasites, and a host of bacterial, viral, yeast and fungal infections...”

Osteoarthritis

...the condition
“...Some facts ... OA is 8 times more common than rheumatoid arthritis (RA)...”
...our question about your age
“...Children who have arthritis usually have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile spondylitis, lupus, Kawasaki's disease, or Still's disease.”
...recommendation Boron
“...Dr. Newnham, PhD, DO, ND has demonstrated clear demographic evidence for the usefulness of boron in treating or preventing both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis...”
...recommendation Boswellia
“Boswellin is the first herbal remedy to have documented clinical evidence that it is useful in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, soft tissue rheumatism and myositis symptoms.”
...recommendation Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
“Low pantothenic acid levels are implicated in the development of human osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as whole blood pantothenic acid levels have been reported to be lower in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with normal controls...”

Osteonecrosis

...the condition
“...It is also more common in those people with rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), steroid users (such as cortisone), alcoholics, diabetics, and skin divers who have experienced a rapid reduction of air pressure (bends)...”

Periodontal Disease - Gingivitis

...relationship to Rheumatoid Arthritis
“People with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are 8 times more likely to have gum disease...”

Pleurisy

...the condition
“...The underlying medical conditions that can cause pleurisy are numerous and include ... Autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune hepatitis...”

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

...the condition
“...PMR is a clinical syndrome that can be a manifestation of many pathological processes, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)...”

Polymyositis

...the condition
“...Occasionally it is associated with cancer, or with other diseases of the connective tissues (for example, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis).  Aside from diseases with which polymyositis can be associated, many other diseases and conditions can mimic polymyositis...”
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More topics Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriasis

...the condition
“...or irritation (cuts, burns, rash, insect bites), and it may be severe in immunosuppressed people (such as with chemotherapy for cancer, or with AIDS) or those who have autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.  Sometimes (but certainly not always) psoriasis can run in families, and so it is likely that there are inherited properties causing a "tendency" to the condition...”

Psoriatic Arthritis

...the condition
“...However, since this form of arthritis is similar to other forms such as gout, Reiter's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may perform a physical examination and order various tests to assist in diagnosis...”

Raynaud's Phenomenon

...the condition
“...The phenomenon may occur along with certain disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus, but in most cases the underlying cause for the blood-vessel spasm is unknown...”

Rest

...as a treatment
“...are extremely important to Rheumatoid Arthritis patients to aid with relaxing and regenerating the energy needed for the rest of the day...”

Retinopathy

...the condition
“...Patients taking chloroquine for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or other disorders may notice a decrease in vision...”

Rheumatoid Arthritis

...the condition
“...Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints...”
...our question about Duration of morning stiffness
Rheumatoid arthritis patients often complain of prolonged morning stiffness or pain which may last 45 minutes or longer.”
...relationship to Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance)
“A Mayo Clinic study found that the T-cells were 'worn out' in rheumatoid arthritis patients, who do not make new T-cells as readily as they should.”
...relationship to Chronic Thyroiditis
“A study of 91 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found 29 patients had evidence of thyroid dysfunction compared to 10 of the 93 controls...”
...relationship to Osteoporosis - Osteopenia
“According to researchers, women with rheumatoid arthritis have up to double the risk of developing osteoporosis and those who use steroid drugs to help control the arthritis are at an even higher risk of bone loss...”
...relationship to Lyme Disease
“The symptoms of Lyme disease have frequently been misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis and subsequently mistreated.”
...relationship to Weakened Immune System
“People with rheumatoid arthritis, who for a long time were thought to have overactive immune systems, instead may have exhausted immune systems...”
...relationship to Zinc Requirement
“...While levels of zinc have been found to be lower than normal in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, supplementation does not appear to be beneficial to the condition.”
...relationship to Hypothyroidism
“A study of rheumatoid arthritis patients found evidence of thyroid dysfunction 3 times more often than in controls...”
...relationship to Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease
“People with Rheumatoid Arthritis have a higher risk of also being diagnosed with Celiac Disease.”
...relationship to Atrophic Gastritis
“Chronic atrophic gastritis occurs in up to 63% of rheumatoid arthritis patients.  Achlorhydria also occurs frequently and is associated with changes in gastric microbial patterns.”
...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement
“...Shifting the body's balance toward omega-3 oils and away from omega-6 oils significantly alleviates symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a recent study in the Journal of Rheumatology.”
...relationship to Low DHEA Level
“DHEA levels have been found to be low in women with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition frequently associated with osteoporosis...”
...relationship to Depression
“Studies report that around 30% of people suffering from inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are depressed – more than four times higher than the general population.”
...relationship to Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome
“Almost all (98%) of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients report fatigue...”
...relationship to Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency
“Lack of stomach acid occurs frequently in rheumatoid arthritis patients.  This is associated with changes in gastric microbial patterns.”
...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“Both Omega-6 and Omega-3 EFAs and their metabolites Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) and EPA have shown effectiveness against Rheumatoid Arthritis.  One study showed that use for 12 months produced meaningful improvement in 76% of subjects...”
...recommendation L-Phenylalanine
“The 'D' form of phenylalanine (DPA) has been used to treat chronic pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, with mixed effectiveness.”
...recommendation Boswellia
“Boswellin is the first herbal remedy to have documented clinical evidence that it is useful in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, soft tissue rheumatism and myositis symptoms.”
...recommendation Cat's Claw
“Uncaria tomentosa extract over a 6-month period reduced the number of painful joints in a well-controlled study involving 40 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis already being treated with sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine...”
...recommendation Turmeric Extract, Curcumin
“Clinical studies have substantiated curcumin anti-inflammatory effects, including a significant beneficial effect in Rheumatoid Arthritis.  In one study, curcumin was compared to phenylbutazone, a very potent NSAID that has fallen out of favor because of frequent side effects...”
...recommendation DHEA
“The incidence of osteoporosis is elevated in women with rheumatoid arthritis.  DHEA levels correlated significantly with, and were predictive of, bone mineral density, even after corticosteroid therapy was taken into account...”
...recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition
“Many studies have shown that vegetarian diets can be used to successfully treat rheumatoid arthritis.  Researchers in one study found that participants who ate the greatest number of servings of cooked vegetables were about 75% less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than...”
...recommendation Picrorhiza
“Open-label studies conducted in India show a preliminary benefit for persons with primarily rheumatoid arthritis.  More study is needed before any definite conclusions can be drawn...”
...recommendation Test Zinc Levels
“Zinc levels amongst patients with rheumatoid arthritis are usually reduced...”
...recommendation Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
“Low pantothenic acid levels are implicated in the development of human osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as whole blood pantothenic acid levels have been reported to be lower in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with normal controls...”
...recommendation Test for Food Allergies
“While virtually any food can result in aggravation of rheumatoid arthritis, the most common offending foods are dairy protein, wheat, corn, citrus fruits, eggs, beef, sugar, fats, salt, caffeine and nightshade (Solanum) family foods (tomato, potato...”
...recommendation Selenium
“Selenium levels are generally low in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.  Low selenium levels in joint tissues may be a significant factor contributing to the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis...”
...recommendation Calming / Stretching Exercises
“According to a 1994 study published in the British Journal of Rheumatology, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated in a yoga program...”
...recommendation Monounsaturated Oils
“Researchers found that people who used the most olive oil were significantly less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than people who consumed the least...”
...recommendation MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane)
“...In an animal study on rheumatoid arthritis-like joint degeneration, MSM was effective in reducing joint inflammation, and completely prevented the breakdown of cartilage...”
...recommendation Therapeutic Fasting
“...Fasting can cause regression of some autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis...”
...recommendation Dairy Products Avoidance
“...Cath is just 42 years old, but she is crippled with rheumatoid arthritis.  There is no record of this disease in her family, but she has been in pain for the past two years, much of it bedridden...”
...recommendation Manganese
“Manganese functions in the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (manganese SOD), which is deficient in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.  Manganese supplementation has been shown to increase SOD activity, indicating increased antioxidant activity...”
...recommendation Lei Gong Teng
“Treatment with an extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (360-570mg per day) improved clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in a study of 13 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.  Three patients withdrew during the first 16 weeks of dose escalation, including one patient who developed diastolic hypertension at a dose of 180mg per day...”
...recommendation Thymic Factors
“...Through his clinical experiences with thymic supplementation, Dr. Burgstiner said he observed 28 cases of rheumatoid arthritis cases go into remission where patients no longer needed to use prednisone, methotrexate or gold shots.”

Sarsaparilla

...as a treatment
“...Since it was first introduced to the West, sarsaparilla has been used to treat gout, gonorrhea, open wounds, rheumatoid arthritis, cough, fever, hypertension, pain, lack of libido, psoriasis, indigestion, and even leprosy and certain types of cancer...”

Scleroderma

...the condition
“...If a scleroderma patient also has any other autoimmune disease (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)  it is referred to as overlap; as in "Diffuse scleroderma in overlap with lupus...”

Sideroblastic Anemia

...the condition
“...Sideroblastic anemia is also associated with ... Rheumatoid arthritis...”

Sjogren's Syndrome

...the condition
“...In cases of secondary Sjogren's syndrome, the patient will have had an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus before Sjogren's developed...”
...our question about Eye moistness or dryness
“"Dry eye" is a symptom of certain autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome, in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the tear ducts and saliva glands.”

Superoxide Dismutase

...as a treatment
“...Supplementing copper in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has also been reported to increase SOD levels.”

Test Serum Uric Acid Levels

...as a treatment
“...On the other hand, in high doses (as may be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis), aspirin actually lowers the concentration of uric acid...”

Thymic Factors

...as a treatment
“...the ratio of T-helper cells to suppressor cells whether the ratio is low as in AIDS, chronic infections and cancer, or high as found with allergies and autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.  In other words, thymic factors appear to influence the immune response up or down as needed...”

TMJ Problems

...relationship to Rheumatoid Arthritis
“If the TMJ is affected by rheumatoid arthritis, it is usually one of the last joints involved...”

Vasculitis

...the condition
“...It is commonly associated with diseases such as SLE, scleroderma, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and dermatomyositis...”

Zeolites

...as a treatment
“...An example of a condition caused by an overactive immune system would be rheumatoid arthritis.  In this disease the immune system attacks the membranes in the joints in an uncontrolled manner .resulting in progressive destruction of joints...”

Zinc Requirement

...the condition
“...It has been observed that those suffering with any of the auto-immune diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis); atopic problems (allergy, eczema, asthma or migraine); or many of the inflammatory diseases (such as osteoarthritis, ME or irritable bowel syndrome), have a...”
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