184 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
184 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
RHEUMATOIDARTHRITISRONAOSTEOARTHRITISPHYSIOTHERAPYHERBALISM
|
||
NATURAL THERAPIES FOR ARTHRITIS - Zoltan P. Rona
|
||
|
||
|
||
NATURAL THERAPIES FOR ARTHRITIS - Zoltan P. Rona, M.D., M.Sc.
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Arthritis is a disease of the joints characterized by pain, swelling, redness,
|
||
heat, and, at times, structural changes. The two most common forms,
|
||
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are more common in women than men.
|
||
|
||
Osteoarthritis involves the gradual deterioration of cartilage usually in the
|
||
larger, weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and spine. This wear
|
||
and tear is thought by doctors to be a normal and inevitable process in people
|
||
age 55 and older. By the eighth decade, approximately 90% of all people have
|
||
some degree of osteoarthritis.
|
||
|
||
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic joint disease affecting one or more joints,
|
||
usually those of the hands and feet, particularly the knuckle and toe joints.
|
||
The synovium and other parts of the joint may gradually become inflamed and
|
||
swollen with tissue destruction and deformities occurring in the most severe
|
||
cases. Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, is a condition that waxes
|
||
and wanes, occurring as a single attack or as several episodes which leave the
|
||
victim increasingly disabled. The disease may also be associated with damage
|
||
to the lungs, heart, nerves and eyes. Although this form of arthritis
|
||
predominantly affects those between the ages of 40 and 60, it can also
|
||
affect children and teenagers (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). The cause of
|
||
the disease is unknown but considered to be an autoimmune process (components
|
||
of the immune system attacking the joints).
|
||
|
||
Conventional medicine treats arthritis with anti-inflammatory drugs (most
|
||
commonly aspirin) and physiotherapy. In severe cases of Rheumatoid
|
||
arthritis, more potent anti-inflammatory drugs are used: nonsteroidal
|
||
anti-inflammatory drugs such as Indomethacin, cortisone-like drugs,
|
||
antimalarials, gold salts, penicillamine and even experimental cytotoxic
|
||
drugs. Although this approach may produce pain relief, it does little, if
|
||
anything, to alter the arthritic process itself. Surgical removal of badly
|
||
inflamed joint synovium may be required (synovectomy), arthroplasty (joint
|
||
realignment and reconstruction), tendon repair, arthrodesis (joint fusion)
|
||
and even artificial joint replacement.
|
||
|
||
Conventional medical treatments for arthritis are a multi-billion dollar a
|
||
year industry. The failure of drugs and surgery to produce a cure in the
|
||
majority of sufferers has led millions in North America to seek alternatives
|
||
such as acupuncture, chiropractic, nutritional, herbal, homeopathic and
|
||
folk therapies. For the most part, the medical profession approves of very
|
||
few of these alternatives, claiming that there is no proof of efficacy.
|
||
|
||
Nutritional approaches to arthritis seem to have the most supporting
|
||
scientific research and documentation behind them. For example, weight
|
||
reduction, particularly in those suffering from osteoarthritis of the hips,
|
||
knees and ankles may be very important. Losing weight alleviates some of the
|
||
stress on the joints. The main types of foods that should be reduced as much
|
||
as possible are refined carbohydrates (sugar and white flour products) and
|
||
animal fats (especially those found in red meats).
|
||
|
||
There are certain types of fats, however, which may, in higher than average
|
||
intake amounts, act in the same way as standard anti-inflammatory drugs.
|
||
Examples of this include cold-pressed linseed oil (Flaxseed oil), gamma
|
||
linolenic acid (GLA found in Evening Primrose Oil) and EPA (found in cod
|
||
liver oil, halibut liver oil, salmon oil, shark oil and many others).
|
||
Increasing these in the diet or taking them in encapsulated supplement form
|
||
while decreasing the intake of saturated animal fats can have a remarkably
|
||
good anti-inflammatory effect. D,L-Phenylalanine is an amino acid which has
|
||
been shown to help release the body's own natural opiates (endorphins) and
|
||
can provide substantial pain relief naturally. Unfortunately, this
|
||
product is only available in the U.S.A. in health food stores.
|
||
|
||
In osteoarthritis, optimizing the body's trace mineral balance may be crucial.
|
||
It is therefore necessary to avoid foods known to interfere with mineral
|
||
absorption such as bran, coffee and tea. Minerals that may be involved in
|
||
osteoarthritis include iron, zinc, copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium,
|
||
boron and selenium. Vitamins such as A, B-complex, C, beta-carotene,
|
||
bioflavonoids and E can be supplemented in higher than RDA doses because of
|
||
their anti-oxidant properties that help prevent certain aspects of
|
||
inflammation. The recommended intake doses for all these nutrients would have
|
||
to be determined for the individual by a qualified health care practitioner
|
||
based on appropriate biochemical tests.
|
||
|
||
Many arthritis sufferers have reported benefits from the use of certain herbs.
|
||
Alfalfa, for example, has been extensively studied. It contains many
|
||
important substances including saponins, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins,
|
||
alkaloids, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, trace elements and other
|
||
nutrients. Aside from its ability to lower blood cholesterol levels through
|
||
its saponin content, numerous clinical and anecdotal (unproven) reports
|
||
support its use in arthritis treatment. Other herbs that have been
|
||
reported to have beneficial effects for arthritis include devil's claw,
|
||
comfrey and sassafras. Like vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs are not
|
||
without their side effects and are best administered and supervised by an
|
||
experienced health care practitioner.
|
||
|
||
There are a growing number of studies which demonstrate the relationship
|
||
between food allergies (hypersensitivity) and arthritis. The purported
|
||
benefits of juice or water fasting for all types of arthritis may simply be
|
||
because the fast eliminates the food or foods to which the person is
|
||
allergic. For years, anecdotal reports have suggested that some individuals
|
||
are adversely affected by plants from the Solanacea group (the Nightshades).
|
||
These include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, paprika and tobacco.
|
||
It certainly can do no harm for an arthritis sufferer to exclude these foods
|
||
from the diet for at least two months to see whether or not avoidance has any
|
||
impact on the disease process. For those who find the rigors of fasting and
|
||
food elimination diets too inconvenient, there now exist some very good blood
|
||
tests (IgG4 RAST and the ELISA/ACT test) which can pick up allergies to not
|
||
only the Nightshades but also to other hidden food hypersensitivities.
|
||
|
||
In some people that react adversely to all foods (pan-allergic), the
|
||
possibility of an intestinal tract parasitic or fungal (Candida) infection
|
||
needs to be investigated and treated before starting on a food allergy
|
||
elimination program. Although one cannot say that parasites or Candida cause
|
||
arthritis, many nutrition oriented physicians and clinical ecologists have
|
||
reported successes in the treatment of arthritis when either the Candida or
|
||
parasitic infection was cleared first.
|
||
|
||
The wearing of copper bracelets may be beneficial to many arthritis sufferers.
|
||
Double blind studies have proven that copper from the bracelet can penetrate
|
||
the skin and produce an ant-inflammatory effect. Assorted anecdotal reports
|
||
have claimed beneficial effects with supplemental Niacinamide (vitamin B3),
|
||
the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (mucopolysaccharide content) and DMSO.
|
||
Many homeopathic remedies have been used for arthritis. Since the right
|
||
remedy alleviating the symptoms may be different for different individuals,
|
||
the best thing to do is see a homeopath who can take a proper case history
|
||
and prescribe the remedy on an individual basis.
|
||
|
||
Let us not forget the very important body/mind/spirit connection or
|
||
pscho-nueuro-immunology, as some would like to term it. This is a vast
|
||
subject that requires an individual to do quite a bit of personal work and
|
||
study. Authors that are widely read in this field include Louise Hay, Dr.
|
||
Deepak Chopra, Dr. Norman Shealy, Dr. Bernie Siegel, Shakti Gawain, Norman
|
||
Cousins and dozens of others. Over the years, I have noticed that people
|
||
who suffer from arthritis are reflecting feelings of anger, frustration,
|
||
irritation or resentment. Such individuals are often obsessed with
|
||
controlling another person or with being controlled by the emotional or
|
||
psychological needs of someone with whom they are closely involved.
|
||
This scenario seems to be more obvious in auto-immune forms of arthritis such
|
||
as rheumatoid arthritis but may also be present in other types. Meditation,
|
||
yoga, self-healing techniques of various types, Trager massage or
|
||
psychotherapy may all be effective in alleviating both conscious and
|
||
subconscious feelings that lie at the bottom of arthritis.
|
||
|
||
There are no quick and lasting remedies that work in all cases. One of the
|
||
most important things that must be stressed in any holistic program for
|
||
arthritis is that treatment is long term. Sufferers should be prepared to
|
||
actively involve themselves in all aspects of therapy and not just passively
|
||
wait for something to happen. Any holistic approach requires a far greater
|
||
degree of self responsibility than just taking aspirins. Occasionally one
|
||
hears of spontaneous remissions or overnight successes with the
|
||
"right remedy", but the vast majority take 3-6 months or more to stabilize.
|
||
|
||
Unfortunately, there are resistant cases where anti-inflammatory drugs cannot
|
||
be avoided if one wants to prevent joint destruction. The safest thing to do
|
||
is to consider the drugless approach to arthritis as complementary rather than
|
||
alternative therapy. A holistic health care practitioner's guidance is
|
||
essential.
|
||
|
||
REFERENCES
|
||
|
||
Blake, D.R.; Lunec, J.
|
||
1) Copper 2) iron
|
||
free radicals and arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1985 May;24(2):123-5.
|
||
|
||
Nuki, G. Apatite associated arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1985 May;23(2):81-3.
|
||
|
||
Dieppe, P.A.; Doherty, M.; Macfarlane, D.G.; Hutton, C.W.; Bradfield, J.W.;
|
||
Watt, I.
|
||
Apatite associated destructive arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1985 May;23(2):84-91.
|
||
|
||
Chen, L.H.; Liu, S.; Newell, M.E.; Barnes, K.
|
||
Survey of drug use by the elderly and possible impact of drugs on
|
||
nutritional status. Drug Nutr Interact 1985;3(2):73-86.
|
||
|
||
Solomons, N.W.
|
||
Biochemical, metabolic, and clinical role of 3) copper in human nutrition.
|
||
J Am Coll Nutr 1985;4(1):83-105.
|
||
|
||
Crary, E.J.; McCarty, M.F.
|
||
Potential clinical applications for high-dose nutritional 4) antioxidants.
|
||
Med Hypotheses 1984 Jan;13(1):77-98.
|
||
|
||
Krupp, M.A. and Chatton, M.J. (Ed).
|
||
Current Medicinal Diagnosis and Treatment. Lange Medical Publications, U.S.A.,
|
||
1984. pp. 367-368.
|
||
|
||
The Arthritis Foundation. Home Care Programs In Arthritis. 1314 Spring St. NW,
|
||
|
||
|