Causes | Signs of Arthritis

If you are bitten by an infected tick, you could get Lyme disease. The disease was identified after Rheumatoid arthritis cases rose in children in 1975. Research determined that ticks infected with the Borelia burgdorferi bacteria were the source of the disease. Since some Lyme disease symptoms are similar to more common diseases like flu, some people may not seek appropriate medical treatment. Lyme arthritis often occurs in the last stages of Lyme disease. This condition is quite similar to common cases of inflammatory arthritis. The following are some Lyme arthritis facts that you need to know about:

It occurs when the Lyme disease bacteria starts to inflame the patient’s joints

Certain specialists mention that Lyme disease has various stages. In the early stages, symptoms resemble those of the common flu, including fever, headaches, chills and body aches. The disease will start to infect other systems in the body if it is left untreated. In the last stage, the joints become inflamed which results in Lyme arthritis. Knee and shoulder joints are often the parts affected with Lyme arthritis. Other symptoms that manifest in the late stage of Lyme disease are severe headaches, anxiety and mood disorders.

Chronic arthritis may develop

Research has shown that an estimated 10% of Lyme disease that is left untreated may result to chronic arthritis. Continuous inflammation of the joints that last for a year or more is a symptom of chronic arthritis. Swelling, redness and fluid buildup in the joints are the possible symptoms.

People of any age can be affected by it

Both adults and children can suffer from Lyme Arthritis as a result of Lyme disease. As a matter of fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) disclosed that children between 5 and 9 years old and adults older than 30 are the most common sufferers of the illness. Additionally, patients in 33% of the total number of reported cases experienced Lyme arthritis.

Its possible treatments include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications

Antibiotics are one of the treatment options for Lyme arthritis. A positive response rate of over 90% was reached with intravenous ceftriaxone; making it the most successful treatment. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen are also administered to patients and can provide relief from pain and swelling reduction. Still there are some rare cases that are not successfully resolved using these treatments. In such certain cases, bacteria could have become immune to the antibiotic medications.

The best solution is to prevent and treat Lyme disease as early as possible

Because Lyme arthritis develops in the late stage of Lyme disease, the most obvious form of prevention is to prevent Lyme disease or treat it as soon as possible. It is very crucial to know the preventive measures against Lyme disease including knowledge of its symptoms and available treatments.

Lyme arthritis is a serious condition, but its effects can be prevented and cured.

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Inflammation is a natural response by the body when some foreign virus, germ or bacteria enters. It tries to expel or kill the invader by raising temperature or creating inflammation so that more blood reaches the site carrying along the killer cells to handle the foreigners. Once the problem is resolved, inflammation goes away.

But for many, inflammation becomes chronic. But instead of reaching for an NSAID, the first consideration should be to look at what may be causing the inflammation. Once the cause is addressed, inflammation disappears.

Many lifestyle factors can lead to pain. But often food is the cause. Whether through allergies or simply from the many chemical ingredients that have been added to today’s highly processed foods, it’s necessary to find and eliminate those unhealthy foods that create pain. Often just switching the diet to organic, low carbohydrate foods solve the problem and pain doesn’t return.

But what can you do to relieve pain once you have it? What can you take that’s natural without the side effects of those drugs you automatically reach for?

Cherries and Berries
They’re loaded with anthocyanins, a group of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent the proliferation of free radicals that damage the major organs of the body and lead to inflammation. The flavonoids in fruit have anti-inflammatory properties. They are natural pain relievers that help heal swollen and painful joints. Blueberries, blackberries, respberries, strawberries and cherries top the list of anti- arthritis fruits.

Cold Water Fish
Wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, scallops and anchovies help halt pain. Fish comes loaded with omega-3 essential oils. Unfortunately fish is not a part of many diets, but should be. The imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 is partly responsible for inflammation that creates those painful joints and frequent flareups. Eating more fish helps speed healing and produces new cartilage.

Flaxseed to Reduce Pain
They’re small but come packed with alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) and is the best plant source for omega-3 oils. It makes a good substitute for those who aren’t fond of fish. Two tablespoons of ground flaxseed gives you up to 140% of the daily requirement of omega-3. They can be incorporated into breakfast cereals, salads and mixed with fruits in a parfait. Flaxseed should be ground so the hard outer shell is broken. It makes for better absorption of the omega-3 oils. Chia seed also contains ALA and helps fight inflammation.

Yogurt
It makes a great dessert as it can be mixed with berries and flaxseed for extra pain fighting power. The friendly bacterial cultures in yogurt have curative effects. They add the necessary micro flora in the stomach that helps for better digestion and absorption of the nutrients in food. Yogurt helps to strengthen the immune system.

Brazil Nuts
It’s the selenium in the Brazil nuts that help fight inflammation. Those who suffer from arthritis have extremely low levels of selenium. And low levels of this mineral invites damage to the joints. Selenium rich foods help fight free radicals that damage the major organs of the body and promote faster aging.

These five foods are helpful in fighting Arthritis Pain, or any pain and do it naturally without side effects. Except for fish, they can be combined to create an antioxidant rich desert that can supplant the usual fat and salty snacks that most people have become accustomed to. Those same snacks are responsible for creating inflammation in the body.

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