Weak Knees

= Living with Pain

Over the past few years both my parents have suffered with Arthritis in their now weak knees and this has led to the need for surgery.

My mother was the first to have her weak knees cause her issues and lead to knee replacement surgery. We knew she needed treatment as she had got so bad that her weak knees were causing other health pronblems – her posture had changed so she was hunched over and walked in a pigeon toe manner. The problems she had with her weak knees where leading to even more problems too – a hunched back and mild depression due to the pain and medication.

Health Insurance Helped Fix Her Weak Knees

I’m glad that she had health insurance as the surgery due to her weak knees was not cheap and may have been something she could not afford.

Father Suffers From Arthritis Too – Weak Knees Again!

I had a phone call to say my father was having problems with his weak knees, but it did not prepare me for the sight of him on crutches. Knees seem like such a simple part of the body; however with weak knees it is amazing how quickly you can become disabled.

If it had been an elbow or another joint instead of the weak knees then the effect would be less, but it was weak knees that caused my father the initial problems he had to endure.

At least my father went through the system quite quickly and was operated within months – not years as is so often the case.

The knee surgery could not be deemed a great success. My father was fit and healthy – or so we thought, so it was a surprise when things turned sour.

Instead of a quick recovery he experienced a mild heart attack while in surgery and subsequently had issues during the recovery phase with infection and issues eating etc.

Depression was not something I had never associated with my father nor was it something I had ever expected as a byproduct of this surgery on his weak kness.

He is back on deck now but it has been these experiences that lead me to research Arthritis and now I want to share this with as many people as I can. Not only have I learned more about Arthritis, but I have also found how to minimize the risk of getting Arthritis by using a more holistic medical system known as Ayurveda.

The Dreaded Arthritis

He is back on deck now but it has been these experiences that lead me to research Arthritis.

Now I want to share this with as many people as I can. Not only have I learned more about Arthritis, but I have also found how to minimize the risk of getting Arthritis by using a more holistic medical system known as Ayurveda.

Arthritis is simply known as joint inflammation. (arth = joint, ritis = inflammation). Inflammation is the way the body uses to respond to injuries or to the presence of diseases such as viruses or bacteria.

During this reaction, many cells of the body’s defense system (called the immune system) rush to the injured area to wipe out the cause of the problem, clean up damaged cells, and repair tissues that have been hurt. When the inflammation subsides the area becomes healthy again. With both my parents it was weak knees that were the injured area and unfortuantly this is an area of the body that is used every day.

Many forms of arthritis the inflammation does not go away as it should and instead the inflammation continues to damage otherwise healthy tissue causing a long-term cycle of more inflammation and more damage. The result may leave scars which over time build up to cause problems such as weak knees but these problems can be in almost any joint.

What actually happens is the damage that occurs can change the bones and other tissues of the joints, sometimes affecting their shape and making movement hard and painful which ultimately can lead to the need for joint replacement such as hip and knee replacements – now a very common form of surgery.

Two Types of Arthritis

These are only two forms of Arthritis but there are over 100 kinds of arthritis that can affect many different areas of the body.

It is not just the joints that can be afflicted with Arthritis; it can affect other parts of the body too. It is also not uncommon for someone to have Arthritis in more than one part of the body. Arthritis does not select it’s victims on any age based selection process and can just as easily affect children and young people.

This is not some bizarre or uncommon problem.

The fact of the matter is that about one in every three of every American suffers some form of joint paid or Arthritis. Currently there are 46 million (over 20%) living with arthritis in the United States and it is estimated that over 795 million people suffer from arthritis worldwide.

The two most common types of Arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Ostheoarthritis

Osteoarthritis – this is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis results from overuse of joints. This could be from obesity, aging or from sports related stresses and injuries. Eventually the cartilage covering the end of the bones will gradually wear away.

The rubbing of bone to bone occurs when the protection of the cartilage is not there, and this causes friction which leads to pain and inflammation causing the swelling. Osteoarthritis typically will affect the hands and weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip and facet joints (in the spine) but it can occur in any joint in your body.

Often it starts with a small discomfort which is linked to an injury.

Women often get Osteoarthritis in the hands and this is frequently inherited.

Since osteoarthritis often occurs as the cartilage breaks down, or degenerates, with age it is sometimes termed a  degenerative joint disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis – most commonly found in the hands, wrists, and knees but can affect any part of the body. With rheumatoid arthritis, some of your body’s cells recognize a protein as a foreign intruder.

The exact protein involved in rheumatoid arthritis has not yet been discovered. Some experts believe the immune system becomes “confused” after infection with a bacteria or virus and begins attacking the normal joint tissues. Immune cells called lymphocytes are stimulated to react to this protein.

The reaction causes the release of cytokines, which are chemical messengers that trigger more inflammation and destruction. This battle between the body’s chemicals occurs mainly in the joints and causes the joint lining to swell.In my parents examples they thought they had weak knees but this was only the symtom of arthritis.

The inflammation then spreads to the surrounding tissues, and can eventually damage cartilage and bone. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect other areas of the body, such as the skin, eyes, and nerves.

Medication for Arthritis

Being diagnosed with Arthritis will often mean you will be prescribed a cocktail of drugs or if serious enough then surgery will be recommended.

Most of us prefer not to use drugs on a regular basis as they almost always have detrimental side effects and are costly too.

My opinion is that drugs may help but I would prefer to deal with the underlying cause of the problem so I can eventually get of any medication. With my parents weak knees there are painkillers that were used to ensure they could still retain some mobility without having to endure high levels of pain; however this did not address the underlying issues of their weak knees.

Given my families experience with surgery it is something that I can say I would personally only have as a last resort and that is assuming I can afford to pay for the surgery or that my health insurance would cover the cost. And surgery is not cheap!

Here is a list of some of the commonly prescribed medications;

Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs – Ridaura, Imuran, Sandimmune, Neoral, Myochrysine, Plaquenil, Arava, Rheumatrex, Trexall), Biologic Response Modifiers (Orencia, Humira, Kineret, Enbrel, Remicade, Rituxan, Simponi), Glucocorticoids (Celestone, Deltasone, Meticorten, Orasone), Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDs – Celebrex, Voltaren, Ecotrin, Relafen, Naprosyn, Colchicine, Motrin, Advil), Analgesics (Tylenol, Faverall, Tempra, Ultram, OxyContin, Roxicodone) and Corticosteriod / Steroid Injections.

Beware of the Side Effects!

The combined COMMON side effects when using these drugs include;

Abdominal pain, absence of menstrual periods, acne, agitation, anxiety , back pain, bronchitis, burning sensation, clumsiness, confusion, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry skin, gas, general unwell feeling , hair loss, headache, heartburn, increased hair growth, indigestion, inflammation of the eye, mouth or skin, joint disorder, loose stools, mild nausea or vomiting, mild stomach pain, mild tiredness or weakness, nausea, ringing in the ears, runny nose, sinus infection, sleeplessness, stomach upset, stuffy nose, texture change in nails, tremor, twitching, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, vomiting, weakness, and weight loss.

The combined SEVERE side effects of these medications include;

Bleeding disorder, blisters on the inside of eyes, nose or mouth, blood in the urine, bloody or black, bluish discoloration of the skin or nails, change in the amount  of urine produced, chest pain, clayed-coloured stools, confusion, congestion, dark urine, decreased urination, depression, excessive tiredness, fainting , fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, chills or persistent sore throat, hallucinations, hearing loss, Hives, increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness and seizure, increased sensitivity  to light , infertility, Itching, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), lightheadedness, loss of appetite, low fever, metallic taste, mental and mood changes, muscle cramps, including leg cramps, night sweats, numbness of an arm or leg, numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, one-side weakness, pale skin , pinpoint bruises, pneumonia, purple blotches or unusual skin spots, purple spot on the skin, and/ or seizure (convulsions), Rash, red, swollen, or blistered, or peeling skin, seizures, severe headache or dizziness, severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea, severe vomiting, shortness of breath, slurred speech, sudden or unexplained weight gain, swelling of hands, legs or feet, swelling of the mouth, face and lips or tongue, swollen glands, symptoms of liver problems , tarry tools, thickening of the tongue, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, trouble sleeping, trouble walking, unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual joint or muscle pain, unusual lumps or masses, unusual skin lumps or growths, unusual tiredness or weakness, vision or speech changes, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, wheezing, white patches in mouth or throat, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Arthritis Treatment – The Goal

The goal of Osteoarthritis treatment is to provide pain relief and increase joint mobility and strength. Treatment options include medication, exercise, heat/cold compresses, use of joint protection and surgery. Types of surgery include Arthrodesis (fusion of joints), Arthroscopy (replacement with artificial joints), Total Knee Replacement, and Total Hip Replacement. Treatment plans may involve more than one of these options.

Does this all sound a bit too scary – it should!

 

Managing Arthritis or my Parents Weak Knees

You are able to act now to manage the onset of Arthritis or to manage your existing Arthritis so that you minimise the chances of needing drugs or surgery. This can be acheived by using a combination of health supplements, changes to your diet and a bit of exercise too.

You should now be concerned.

Here are a few tips on how you can make some positive changes – and they are not too hard… any one of these changes will help, but the more you can do the better.

Arthmender – A Treatment For Arthritis Sufferers

Arthmender is a supplement which releases hundreds of phytonutrients that act at the molecular level to restore joint suppleness and flexibility by reducing inflammation and pain, eliminating toxins, curtailing free radical activity, counteracting autoimmunity, improving circulation, supporting cell production and repair, shrinking inflamed tissues, preventing excessive blood clotting, lubricating and smoothing joint structures, improving calcium absorption, and relaxing and toning muscles.

Omega-3 – To Reduce Inflamation

Omega-3 will assist to reduce inflammation. Increase your intake of Omega-3 with fish oil, ground flax seed, minimal-mercury tuna, wild-caught salmon, and sprouted walnuts. You should also look at decreasing your intake of polyunsaturated oils in your diet that contain Omega-6 such as sunflower, safflower, soybean, and corn oils.

Olive oil in moderation is healthy monounsaturated oil that is used in the Mediterranean diet (a diet praised for its anti-inflammatory effects on the body). These monounsaturated fats can also be found in raw almonds, cashews and avocados.

A Low-Fibre Diet

A low-fiber diet will contribute to systemic inflammation. Liberally add ground flax seed (which is also high in omega-3 fatty acids) to many of your favorite recipes, smoothies, shakes, and salads. And try buying some coconut flour which is 58% fiber!

Try eating fruits rich in Vitamin C when fresh and available. These fruits help relieve inflammation. Any of the following fruits are good; blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi fruit, peaches, mango, cantaloupe melon, and anti-inflammatory fruits like apples. Citrus fruits can be too acidic and irritating, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.

When you’re at the supermarket, just remember this rule of thumb: the deeper and richer the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more antioxidant power it has. Colorful fruits and vegetables in the produce aisle to benefit from powerful antioxidants.

Vibrant choices include blueberries, red grapes, mangos, pomegranate, dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach), brussel sprouts, red cabbage, broccoli, sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash.

If you suffer from arthritis, you may suffer from other bone conditions as well. Some foods are naturally high in calcium such as mustard greens, broccoli, spinach, collard greens, and turnip greens and these assit with bone health. Look for foods which are rich in vitamin D such as tuna, sunflower seeds and wild-caught salmon – yummy too. Also, moderate exposure to sunlight increases vitamin D production, which helps the body absorb calcium.

Adding Spice to Your Life

Adding anti-inflammatory spices and herbs like turmeric, ginger, and garlic have powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that naturally help boost the immune system.

And Exercise Too…

And exercise will help too.

It may sound too painful to exercise with arthritis but there are techniques that you can use to keep yourself flexible. I know my parents were initially concerned with the level of pain they had to endure, but they also knew their weak knees were not going to get stronger unless they could exercise their weak knees every day – and not just once a day.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are three types of exercise that are best suited for people with arthritis: Range-of-motion exercises help maintain normal joint movement and relieve stiffness. Strengthening exercises (weight training) help keep or increase muscle strength. Stronger muscles will help support and protect joints affected by arthritis. Aerobic or endurance exercises (bicycle riding, swimming) improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall function. Weight control can be important to people who have arthritis because extra weight puts extra pressure on many joints. There are studies which show that aerobic exercise can reduce inflammation in some joints. Talk to your healthcare professional who may recommend physical therapy to help create a low-impact exercise plan that is tailored for your level of physical ability. The focus of physical therapy should be to protect the joints, while increasing strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

Ayurveda – Herbal Remedies

And you probably want more about Ayurveda; the science of life, prevention, and longevity.

This is the basis of these lifestyle changes and is the oldest, the most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. Ayurveda’s fundamentals can be found in Hindu scriptures called the Vedas – the ancient Indian books of wisdom written over 5,000 years ago.

Ayurveda uses the inherent principles of nature to help maintain health in a person by keeping the individual’s body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.

It is not something new; it is not an unknown and untested concept.

Ayurveda is a comprehensive system that has been developed to treat the underlying causes of health problems rather than waiting for the symptoms to develop.

For the treatment of Arthritis (and my parents weak knees) the best Ayurveda herbal remedy is Arthmender. This is a specially designed herbal treatment that will address the causes of arthritis (and my parents weak knees) rather than only treating the symtoms.

My Message – Make Some Changes

You owe it to yourself, to your body and to your family to make some changes and I suggest you can start by getting some Arthmender today and then next time you are buying food, take an extra look at what you are buying.

This took a long time to put together so I hope this has been helpful and maybe it will save you from living with pain from weak knees or other problems caused by arthritis.

Weak Knees From Arthritis Not Weak Knees From Love!