Are you suffering from arthritis and only given a few choices for alleviating your symptoms from your doctor? Perhaps the right ones are not being prescribed to you. Come over to this website and learn about the different kinds of arthritis and various treatments and remedies that you probably have not tried or thought of. Beatrice is one of those who has been suffering from arthritis for most of her life. She believes that there are many different ways to deal with arthritis and each person will have a few different ways that will work well for them. She has put up the relevant articles that she thinks others can use, so come dind out which one is for you at her website.

Arthritis And Smoking - Health Liabilities

Obtaining information and treatment for arthritis is key in finding relief. Without information, you will be unarmed in treating your symptoms and problems. There are plenty of resources out there to educate you on products. Our website is an excellent resource for finding out more about Arthritis And Smoking.

We all know that cigarette smoking increases our risk of heart disease and lung cancer. But did you know that it also increases your risk of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the joints and the tissue around the joints to become inflamed. More than 2 million people within the United States suffer from this debilitating disease.

A study conducted by the American College of Rheumatology found a distinct correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and rheumatoid arthritis onset. It has been shown that the risk of developing arthritis doubles in women who are smokers.

Why the risk increases has not yet been determined. One theory is that smoking affects the immune system and lowers estrogen levels. Smoking also increases the rheumatoid factor in the body. There will need to be many more studies.

Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear to the joints over time where as rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where inflammation exists. Why this occurs is not fully understood but it's believed to the result of the immune system short circuiting.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but there are strategies to reduce pain and protect the joint. Symptoms that you may be suffering from this disease include:

1. Joints that are swell - especially feet and hands.
2. Aching and stiffness of the muscles and joints after sleeping for short periods
3.
Loss of motion
4. Loss of strength
5. Fatigue
6. Low grade fever
7. Joint deformity

Osteoarthritis affects only the bones where as rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in other areas such as the back of the scallop, feet, hands, knees, and lungs. Its severity can vary and it can come and go.

Your risk of Osteoporosis increases if you smoke but there are other risk factors.
1. Thin, small frame.
2. Family history of fractures below age 50.
3. Postmenopausal
4. Early menopause.
5. Use of certain drugs.
6. Lack of calcium

It was 20 years ago when smoking was first identified as a factor in reducing bone density. It's unsure if it is smoking alone or the characteristics that go with smokers that are the cause of the increased risk.

But what is known is smokers heal slower and fractures take much longer to heal. Smokers bone loss is significant and quitting smoking can reverse the damage. Remember second hand smoking is dangerous.

So why not quit smoking? Even if you've smoked forever quitting has been proven to be very beneficial. There are many excellent stop smoking programs and there is also some excellent online support groups.

Combine your stop smoking program with eating well. Eat a diet high in Vitamin D and calcium, low in dairy fat, filled with plenty of dark green leafy vegetables, and foods high in calcium.

Lastly don't forget the importance of exercising regularly. Walk, run, or even weight bearing exercises. They are all an excellent preventative treatment.

Arthritis and smoking what a combo. One that deserves eliminating.

Approach To Arthritis - Universal Truths

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