Quit smoking to offset arthritis risk: Study

From tribuneindia.com

Smoking has been known to be a major risk factor for various diseases including heart disease and cancer

NEW YORK

Long-term smoking cessation in women was associated with a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to those who had recently quit, a new study has shown.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
The study showed that the risk of seropositive RA—when patients have antibodies in their blood that help identify the disease—was reduced by 37 per cent for those who sustained smoking cessation for 30 or more years compared with those who recently quit smoking.
"Our study is one of the first to show that a behaviour change of prolonged smoking cessation may actually delay or even prevent the onset of seropositive RA, suggesting lifestyle changes may modify risk for development of a systemic rheumatic disease," said Jeffrey Sparks from the Brigham and Women's Hospital in the US.
Patients who have seropositive RA tend to have a more severe disease course with more joint deformities, disability, and inflammation outside of the joints. 

On the other hand, there was no association of smoking with seronegative RA—when patients have no antibodies in their blood that help identify the disease—suggesting a different pathogenesis than seropositive RA, said the study, published in the journal, Arthritis Care & Research.Smoking has been known to be a major risk factor for various diseases including heart disease and cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation, rheumatoid arthritis tends to strike during the most productive years of adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 40 and is more common among women.
For the study, the researchers included 230,732 women.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/quit-smoking-to-offset-arthritis-risk-study/733702.html

Dr. Matthew Bogard publishes an article on why adults develop arthritis

From einnews.com

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases that affects a large population of the worldwide population. Read on to learn more about this disease.

                                                       Matthew Bogard, MD (N/A:N/A)

February 15, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Arthritis – inflammation of the joints - isn’t confined to people who are elderly. It can affect everyone, including children. According to research, about 54 million adults and 300 thousand children have arthritis of one kind or another. If you feel that your joints hurt too much, read this article to decipher if you are suffering from arthritis. We’ll be taking a look at arthritis types, symptoms, and causes in this article.
Arthritis can occur in any joint of your body including your knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, and fingers. If you’re suffering from arthritis, you will feel pain and sometimes swelling in affected joints. This can make it difficult or painful to complete everyday tasks.

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis refers to about 120 different types of diseases. Some of the most common forms of arthritis are listed below.

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Gout
• Lupus

Causes

Arthritis can occur for various reasons and each subtype of arthritis has its own causes. Let’s take a look at the different types of arthritis individually.

Osteoarthritis

The joints in your body have a jelly-like protective covering called cartilage. It protects your joints from wear and tear, allowing you to move easily. Osteoarthritis is the condition when the cartilage in your body breaks down because of injuries, stress or due to increasing age. This causes pain when you move your joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks your joints. The reason why the body reacts this way is not yet known.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This type of arthritis is part of a medical condition called psoriasis in which patients develop red and white patches of inflamed and itchy skin.

Gout

This type of arthritis develops when the level of uric acid become elevated. The excess uric acid builds up in different parts of your body including your joints. It may occur if you consume foods that contain high amounts of uric acid or your kidneys have failed to process the uric acid produced by your body.

Lupus

Lupus is a condition in which your immune system attacks your body parts including joints, brain, kidneys, skin, and other organs. The reason why your immune system acts this way is not exactly known.

Symptoms
Different types of arthritis have different symptoms. These are common signs that indicate you have arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

• Sharp pain in joints
• Difficulty in walking
• Joints become stiff when you wake up

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Sharp pain in joints

• Stiffness and swelling in joints
• Symmetrical pattern of pain. This means if your right hand is affected, your left hand will also be affected.

Psoriatic Arthritis

• Swollen fingers and toes
• Discoloured fingernails
• Sharp pain and stiffness in joints

Gout

• Stiff joints
• Sharp joint pain usually in your toes, elbows, ankles, knees, or fingers.
• Redness and swelling of joints

Lupus

• Sharp pain in joints
• Headache
• Swollen limbs
• Rashes around cheeks
• Mouth sores
• Hair loss
• Anaemia
• Chest pain

If you think your body is exhibiting these symptoms, you should get yourself checked by a doctor. Arthritis can be managed with proper medication and exercises if diagnosed at an early stage. However, most types of arthritis cannot be completely cured. So, visit your doctor today to know if you have arthritis. 

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/476036696/dr-matthew-bogard-publishes-an-article-on-why-adults-develop-arthritis

Mummified body from 16th Century found in JAR could contain answer to arthritis

From express.co.uk

SCIENTISTS have been studying a mummified body from the 16th Century found in a jar which they believe could hold a cure to arthritis.

The well-preserved mummy, which was discovered in Ecuador, has bones containing traces of arthritis.
French pathologist Dr Philippe Charlier, who is studying the mummy, said: “The mummy of Guano may be the link missing that will allow us to understand how this disease, which was originally American, then became a global disease by hybridisation, by the confrontation between two worlds.”
Rheumatoid arthritis was first found in America before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.
The body is thought to be the guardian of then convent from 1560 to 1565 and around 90 years old when he died.

The mummy could solve questions about the widespread arthritis disease (Image: REUTERS )

The mummy was found in a jar between the walls of the convent Asunsion de Guano in Ecuador next to a mummified rat.
It was kept in a cold and dry environment so it was well preserved and kept out of reach from flies and larvae.
It was found following an earthquake in 1949 that caused the walls of the church to fall down.
Dr Charlier also said: “This is an extremely important mummy for the history of diseases.”

Arthritis is a term often used to mean any disorder that affects joints. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness.
Across the world, 350 million suffer from the condition which can be debilitating.
Last year a 16th-Century child Mummy had the oldest known case of Hepatitis B.

At the time, science author Edward Holmes said: “The more we understand about the behaviour of past pandemics and outbreaks, the greater our understanding of how modern pathogens might work and spread, and this information will ultimately help in their control.”
A mummy is a deceased human or an animal whose skin and organs have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or lack of air.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1081221/mummy-ecuador-discovery-arthritis-disease

What to know about psoriatic arthritis of the knee

From medicalnewstoday.com

Psoriatic arthritis can develop in people who have psoriasis, and it affects many joints, including the knee.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin cells to build up and form patches of itchy, dry skin called plaques.
If a person with psoriasis develops psoriatic arthritis as well, it may cause one or more joints, such as the knee, to become stiff, inflamed, and painful.
Psoriatic arthritis is a long-term inflammatory disease. Symptoms may get progressively worse over time without effective treatment.
It is possible, however, to slow the progress of the condition with the correct treatment. Early diagnosis is vital to minimize damage to the joints.

How does psoriatic arthritis affect the knee?

Psoriatic arthritis does not follow the same pattern in everyone. The symptoms, such as stiffness and painful swelling, may appear differently in each person.
For example, some people with psoriatic arthritis of the knee will experience symptoms in one knee, while others will experience symptoms in both knees.
Psoriatic arthritis in the knee may also cause swelling in the ligaments, tendons, and synovial fluid in the surrounding area. Symptoms may also show up in the elbows, feet, and hands.
Some people may notice slight stiffness or pain in just one of their knees, whereas others may have severe pain in both knees that makes it difficult to walk.

Symptoms

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in the knee may vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:

• stiffness, especially after resting or sleeping
• swelling and inflammation in the knee and surrounding area
• pain in the joint, tendons, or ligaments
• feeling that the joint is stuck, difficult to move, or has a reduced range of motion
• warm or hot skin on the knee due to inflammation

A person may also experience other symptoms not confined to the knee, including:

• fatigue
• changes in the nails, such as pitting or separation
• pain and redness in the eyes
• swollen fingers or toes
• difficulty walking due to pain in the feet or Achilles tendon
• back pain

Symptoms may go through a pattern of relapses and remissions. A person may have a sudden attack where symptoms get worse over a short time.

After the flare-up, symptoms may improve as the condition goes into remission. The symptoms may stay away for a long time until the next flare-up.
The severity of a person's psoriasis symptoms does not always determine that of their psoriatic arthritis symptoms. For instance, a person may have severe psoriasis symptoms but only mild psoriatic arthritis symptoms.
Likewise, someone with only mild psoriasis may still experience more severe psoriatic arthritis.

Causes

Obesity may influence the development of psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis occurs because the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues.
In people with psoriasis, the faulty immune response causes the body to make new skin cells very quickly, which stack on top of each other and form plaques.
When the condition affects the joints, it leads to inflammation.
While there is no clear cause for psoriatic arthritis, researchers have found connections to both genetics and environment.
People whose close relatives have psoriatic arthritis may be more likely to also develop the condition.
A 2017 review that appears in The New England Journal of Medicine also noted other factors that may influence the development of psoriatic arthritis, such as:
obesity

severe psoriasis

nail disease

traumatic injuries

smoking

The condition may occur at any age, but according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, most people with psoriatic arthritis first notice symptoms about 10 years after their psoriasis begins. Symptoms often begin between the ages of 30 and 50.

Not all people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. In fact, psoriatic arthritis only occurs in about 30 percent of people who have psoriasis.

Diagnosis

Doctors can use imaging tools to help them diagnose psoriatic arthritis in the knee. Using MRI, X-rays, or an ultrasound of the knee may help them check for irregularities or signs of inflammation in the joint and surrounding tissues.
Doctors can use additional tests to rule out other common forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
They may also order blood tests to check for inflammation and specific antibodies from other types of arthritis.
In some cases, they may remove some fluid from the joint to help eliminate the possibility of other underlying conditions, such as infections.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for psoriatic arthritis. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and increasing the person's quality of life.
Treatments for psoriatic arthritis of the knee may include:

Anti-inflammatory medications

Doctors may prescribe prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid injections for the knee.
Doctors are cautious about using steroid injections, however, as they may cause long-term side effects.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs may also slow the progression of psoriatic arthritis. These drugs work best when a person starts taking them as early as possible.

Newer versions of these drugs are called oral small molecules.
They can take a while to build up in the body and be effective, so it is important to continue taking them even if symptoms do not immediately improve.

Immunosuppressants and biologics

Doctors may recommend immunosuppressant or biologic drugs such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. These drugs may help block TNF, which has a key role in inflammation in the body.
Other promising biological agents called biologics may help put the disease into remission. These drugs work by blocking other chemicals in the blood that activate the immune system. This may halt an attack, prevent symptoms, and avert further joint and bone damage.
Biological agents may cause unwanted side effects in some people. Doctors will monitor a person for any adverse side effects.

Home remedies to ease inflammation

Taking NSAIDs may provide some relief from psoriatic arthritis.

Many people may find some relief from psoriatic arthritis in their knees using home remedies, including:

• taking over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
• alternating applying ice and heat packs
• gently exercising to promote range of motion
• gently stretching or taking yoga classes to help relax tight muscles

Some additional alternative therapies may be helpful to manage pain, but they may not work in everyone. These include acupuncture, massage, an anti-inflammatory diet, and electrical stimulation.

Doctors may also recommend that the person maintains a healthy weight through exercise and diet to reduce pressure and stress on their joints.
In some cases, wearing special shoes may help reduce symptoms in the feet and knees.

Summary

Psoriatic arthritis of the knee is a chronic condition. Successful treatment involves working closely with a healthcare provider to discuss any medications and their side effects to find a treatment for the pain and help stall the condition's progression.
Pain and inflammation from psoriatic arthritis in the knee can disrupt a person's everyday life. While there is currently no cure for psoriatic arthritis, there are many medications and home remedies available to help manage symptoms and reduce pain.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324338.php