StemCell Therapy

Reactive arthritis can cause painful joint swelling and in most cases it clears up completely within months..

The condition - whihc is different to osteoarthritis and rheuamtoid arthritis - most commonly develops after infections of the bowel or genital tract.

Arthritis Research UK said: Unlike septic arthritis, reactive arthritis isnt caused by an active infection within your joints.

With reactive arthritis the inflammation in your joints is a reaction to an infection elsewhere in your body. Reactive arthritis is diagnosed if you suddenly develop arthritis, especially in your knees or ankles, just after suffering an infection.

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Sometimes the infection may have been so mild that you didn't notice it.

The charity said the first signs of the condition can be pain and swelling, usually in the joints in the legs - knees ankles or toes.

It said the swelling may happen suddenly or develop over a few days after the affected joint becomes stiff.

Other joints including the fingers, wrists, elbows and the joints at the base of your spine (sacroiliac joints) can also become inflamed.

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ith reactive arthritis the inflammation in your joints is a reaction to an infection elsewhere in your body

Reactive arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tendons around the joints, such as the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.

Joint pain and swelling are often the only symptoms of reactive arthritis. But other possible symptoms include:

inflamed, red eyes (conjunctivitis) scaly rashes over your hands or feet (known as keratoderma blenorrhagica) diarrhoea, which may start some time before the arthritis mouth ulcers inflammation of the genital tract which produces a discharge from your vagina or penis a sore rash over the end of the penis weight loss and fever.

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The charity said reactive arthritis can affect people of all ages, including children.

It generally affects a younger average age group than rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Although there isnt a family tendency to develop reactive arthritis, if you have a particular gene, HLA-B27, you may be more likely to develop the condition.

This gene is carried by about one in 14 - seven per cent - of the general population.

The charity said: Having the HLA-B27 gene could also make you more likely to have further episodes of reactive arthritis in the future.

To find out more visit Arthritis Research UK

Excerpt from:
Arthritis symptoms - THIS condition could be triggered by bowel infection and last months - Express.co.uk

She's only a second grader at Cordill-Mason Elementary School in Blue Springs, but 8-year-old Maggie Miller knows what it's like to attend class with every joint on her fingers, wrists and elbows hurting from juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a disease with no cure yet.

What's happening to Maggie is this: Her immune system sees healthy cells as bad, and her immune system attacks the healthy cells in her body, explains Maggie's mom, Tammy Miller. So her immune system is attacking all her joints.

That's the bad news. The good news is: We have been able to stop the spread of (the disease), she says, recalling the disease spread quickly after Maggie was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis in October 2015. We have been able to slow down the progression of the disease with a lot of medicine that she takes weekly, and every four weeks we go into the hospital and do an IV infusion treatment . ... and we do an injection of chemo every weekend to kind of suppress the immune system from attacking her body.

How is Maggie coping with her affliction?

Maggie is the strongest, bravest child I know. She deals with more than any 8-year-old should ever have to deal with. She has to deal with a lot of medicines, doctor appointments and physical therapy, occupational therapy and pool therapy, Tammy says, recalling Maggie had two appointments this week and missed a lot of schooling and doing fun things with her friends.

However, the fun Maggie missed doing with her friends, she more than made up when the Dream Factory of Kansas City sent the Miller family, including her father, Duane, and her 11-year-old brother, Joel, to Orlando, Florida. There they spent March 11 to 17 visiting Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World.

Then, there was the 80-acre Give Kids the World Village where Dream Factory and Make-A-Wish Foundation families stayed while in Orlando. There were tons of fun things to do, Tammy says, recalling the Village each night staged an elaborate party or celebration like Halloween, with a visit from the Storm Troopers and other characters. Then there was Christmas in March, complete with Santa, snow, sleigh rides and much more.

Wearing Mickey Mouse ears to an interview earlier this week was soft-spoken Maggie who fielded a few questions. Her favorite park ride was scary Splash Mountain. Cinderella's evil stepsisters were her favorite meet-and-greet characters, because they were ugly and stayed in character and acted evil. And the ride she hated most: The Tower of Terror, which made her scream.

How did the trip of a lifetime affect Maggie, who says she would like to go to Los Angeles someday and see her two favorite TV personalities, Ellen Degeneres and Steve Harvey.

It was really nice to go on this trip and get away from hospitals, doctors, therapy and just be a family and just have fun and let (Maggie) be a kid and do kid things for a while, she says, noting: We went to seven parks in that short time.

On Saturday, May 6, Maggie and her team of walkers will be helping The Arthritis Foundation, which Tammy says has been an amazing support system for her family. For the second consecutive year, Maggie's team of fundraisers are participating in the annual Walk to Cure Arthritis, a community fundraising 5K walk. The event begins at 9 a.m. in the dinosaur section of Worlds of Fun before the park opens.

What's ahead for Maggie?

Says Tammy: We are going to continue our treatment. Our goal is hopefully to get (the disease) to go into remission so that we can go into a medication remission and there be no signs of the disease. Then hopefully, we can start weaning off some of those medicines and stay in remission.

What has already begun as a fun-filled year for Maggie will continue next month when Maggie spends June 5 to 8 at The Arthritis Foundation's Camp Joint Adventure at Lawson, Missouri. She will be attending camp (where memories are made) on a scholarship. One of her memories, no doubt, will be swimming, because that's her favorite pastime and doesn't put much pressure on her joints.

(Maggie) is looking forward to participating in the 5K walk and going to camp this summer in order to be with other kids who understand her disease, Tammy says. ...She has a real strong support group of friends, and has told her class what her disease is, how it affects her and why she is away from school sometimes because of appointments. She has to miss all day on infusion treatment day. Then she is worn out afterwards.

Will Maggie's condition worsen?

With the advancement in medication treatment, we hope we have been able to catch it in time, get on the right medicine in a timely fashion and that we have the disease under control, Tammy says, explaining, There is always that chance medicines will stop working, and we pray that won't happen. But if it does, we will regroup, find a new treatment and try it. ...It's all about trying to find the right combinations of medicine. We are very lucky we were able to slow down the disease before it got to any other joints.

-- Retired community news reporter Frank Haight Jr. writes this column for The Examiner. You can leave a message for him at 816-350-6363.

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Frank Haight: Second-grader bravely fighting painful arthritis - Columbia Daily Tribune

This month, America observes Arthritis Awareness Month a month dedicated to sharing experiences and letting others see and hear about the disease and its impacts. To join in the discussion, Home Instead Senior Care the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors is offering tips to family caregivers of those living with the disease.

OMAHA, Neb. (PRWEB) May 05, 2017

Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 50 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Those with this chronic disease experience painful inflammation and stiffness, making it difficult to accomplish daily tasks, which can lead to anxiety or a diminished positive self-image.

This month, America observes Arthritis Awareness Month a month dedicated to sharing experiences and letting others see and hear about the disease and its impacts. To join in the discussion, Home Instead Senior Care the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors is offering tips to family caregivers of those living with the disease.

"Without proper care and treatment, an individual becomes more and more likely to have their life severely impacted by the effects of arthritis," said Lakelyn Hogan, caregiver advocate at Home Instead. "We are offering these tips to help family caregivers better understand the needs of their loved one with this disease. Arthritis is the No. 1 chronic condition that brings us into a senior's home and we wanted to share our advice, curated from twenty years of caring for seniors with arthritis."

Keep the following seven tips in mind when assisting loved ones living with arthritis:

Home Instead CAREGivers deliver responsive and customized in-home care to each client's specific needs. Home Instead offers everything from arthritis help to advanced Alzheimer's careto keep them safe at home.

A Caregiver's Guide to Arthritis provides additional tips on how to help a loved one with arthritis. Download the guide at http://www.caregiverstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/A-Caregivers-Guide-to-Arthritis_web.pdf. For more information on Arthritis Awareness Month events and resources, visit http://blog.arthritis.org/news/arthritis-awareness-month/.

# # #

ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises that are estimated to annually provide more than 50 million hours of care throughout the United States and 12 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 65,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network strives to partner with each client and his or her family members to help meet that individual's needs. Services span the care continuum from providing companionship and personal care to specialized Alzheimer's care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. At Home Instead Senior Care, it's relationship before task, while striving to provide superior quality service.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/05/prweb14304019.htm

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National Arthritis Awareness Month: Family Caregivers Key to ... - Benzinga

News & Observer

Cary teen doesn't let arthritis hold her back News & Observer If Maia Tsalik is supposed to make you feel sorry for her, she is not doing a very good job. As one of the ambassadors for the upcoming Walk for the Cure, the 13-year-old Cary resident is charged with helping to raise awareness about arthritis. Maia ...

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Cary teen doesn't let arthritis hold her back - News & Observer

WEDNESDAY, May 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds that people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis who haven't done well on other treatments may find relief with Xeljanz (tofacitinib), a drug currently used to treat arthritis.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It affects about 700,000 Americans, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF).

The illness causes inflammation, irritation, swelling and sores on the lining of the large intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea with blood or pus and abdominal discomfort, according to CCF.

"There is still a substantial unmet need for new treatments for patients with ulcerative colitis," said study lead author Dr. William Sandborn. He is professor of medicine and chief of the division of gastroenterology at the University of California, San Diego.

Xeljanz targets certain proteins involved in the body's inflammatory and immune responses that other so-called biologic drugs don't, the researchers said.

"Treatment with oral tofacitinib is potentially a new treatment option for patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, pending review by the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]," Sandborn said.

The study was funded by Pfizer, Inc., the maker of Xeljanz. Sandborn said he has received research grants from the company and served as a consultant for Pfizer.

Whether Xeljanz should be used as a first treatment is still not clear, said Dr. Arun Swaminath, director of the inflammatory bowel disease program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Because Xeljanz comes as a pill, it could have an advantage for patients, Swaminath said. But so far it has only been tried with patients who have not responded to other treatments, he said.

"How it is used in the real world may be different than how it was used in these studies," Swaminath said. "I am not going out on a limb and say this should be the first choice, because we don't have enough data to say that's the way it should be positioned."

The researchers randomly assigned more than 1,700 people with ulcerative colitis to one of three phase 3 trials.

The first two trials looked at more than 1,100 patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis who had failed with conventional treatment or treatment with newer "tumor necrosis factor antagonist" drugs, such as Remicade (infliximab). They received Xeljanz or a placebo twice a day for eight weeks.

In the third trial, nearly 600 patients who responded to Xeljanz were assigned to a maintenance dose (one group with 5 milligrams [mg] and another group with 10 mg) of the drug, or placebo for a year.

In the first trial, nearly 19 percent of the patients taking Xeljanz experienced a remission of their condition in eight weeks. That compared to just 8 percent of patients receiving placebo.

In the second trial, almost 17 percent of those taking Xeljanz had a remission, compared with nearly 4 percent of those taking placebo, the researchers found.

In the third trial, more than 34 percent of patients taking 5 mg of Xeljanz had disease remission after one year. Forty percent of those taking a 10-mg dose of the drug had remission at a year. Only 11 percent of patients on placebo saw a remission.

However, in all of the trials, more patients taking Xeljanz suffered from infections, such as shingles, than those receiving placebo, researchers found.

In addition, five patients taking Xeljanz developed nonmelanoma skin cancer, compared with one patient receiving placebo. Five patients taking the drug experienced heart problems compared with no one on the placebo.

Also, compared with placebo, Xeljanz was associated with an increase in levels of cholesterol.

The report was published May 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Sonia Friedman is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She's also the author of an editorial accompanying the study.

"Tofacitinib is a promising new class of medical therapy that has efficacy in ulcerative colitis. It is an oral, small-molecule drug that is different from current biologic therapies, such as infliximab [Remicade], adalimumab [Humira], golimumab [Simponi] and vedolizumab [Entyvio]," Friedman said.

An advantage of Xeljanz is that it is a pill. Other biologic drugs are given by infusion or injection. In addition, patients cannot develop antibodies to Xeljanz as they can with other biologic drugs, Friedman said.

"Tofacitinib may be used in the future as rescue therapy from failure of biologics," she said. "Only future studies will determine whether it can be used as initial therapy for ulcerative colitis and what patients it would help the most."

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Arthritis Drug Shows Promise for Ulcerative Colitis - Lincoln Journal Star

By Staff.

Researchers are editing stem cells in an effort to fight arthritis with the goal of possibly creating a vaccine that targets inflammation in joints.

Theyve been successful in rewiring mouse stem cells to fight inflammation caused by arthritis and other chronic conditions. These stem cells, known as SMART (Stem cells Modified for Autonomous Regenerative Therapy), develop into cartilage cells that produce anti-inflammatory drug that may replace arthritic cartilage and protect joints from additional damage.

Our goal is to package the rewired stem cells as a vaccine for arthritis, which would deliver an anti-inflammatory drug to an arthritic joint but only when it is needed, said Farshid Guilak, PhD, the papers senior author and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. To do this, we needed to create a smart cell.

Many current drugs used to treat arthritis like Enbrel, Humira and Remicade, attack an inflammation-promoting molecule called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). These drugs are given systemically rather than targeted to joints, which can lead to various unwanted side effects.

We want to use our gene-editing technology as a way to deliver targeted therapy in response to localized inflammation in a joint, as opposed to current drug therapies that can interfere with the inflammatory response through the entire body, Guilak added. If this strategy proves to be successful, the engineered cells only would block inflammation when inflammatory signals are released, such as during an arthritic flare in that joint.

The researchers also encoded the stem/cartilage cells with genes that made the cells light up when responding to inflammation, so the scientists could tell when the cells were responding. Recently, Guilaks team has begun testing the engineered stem cells in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

If the work can be replicated in animals and then developed into a clinical therapy, the engineered cells or cartilage grown from stem cells would respond to inflammation by releasing a biologic drug the TNF-alpha inhibitor that would protect the synthetic cartilage cells that Guilaks team created and the natural cartilage cells in specific joints.

When these cells see TNF-alpha, they rapidly activate a therapy that reduces inflammation, Guilak explained. We believe this strategy also may work for other systems that depend on a feedback loop. In diabetes, for example, its possible we could make stem cells that would sense glucose and turn on insulin in response. We are using pluripotent stem cells, so we can make them into any cell type we can remove or insert genes that have the potential to treat many types of disorders.

The ability to build living tissues from smart stem cells that precisely respond to their environment opens up exciting possibilities for investigation in regenerative medicine, said Jonathan Brunger, PhD, the papers first author and a postdoctoral fellow in cellular and molecular pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco.

The research was published in the journalStem Cell Reports.

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Can An Arthritis Vaccine Be In Our Future? - National Pain Report

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and mainly affects the hands feet and wrists.

People suffering with rheumatoid arthritis often experience periods where the symptoms are worse.

These can be difficult to predict but there is treatment available which can ease pain and prevent long-term damage to the joints.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience problems in other parts of the body, or more general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss.

New research led by Sarah Skeoch and Professor Ian Bruce at the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology at the University of Manchester, looked at the link between chronic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk.

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The research used advanced imaging techniques to highlight the greater risk of cardiovascular problems among people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Published in the medical journal Scientific Reports, the researchers aimed to provide evidence that chronic inflammation drives increased cardiovascular risk in patients by accelerating atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a condition characterised by the buildup of fatty substances called plaques in the arteries - while also leading to the development of higher-risk plaque types.

Researchers found plaque was more prevalent in people with rheumatoid arthritis, with a higher prevalence of plaque calcification also found.

They found higher levels of the biomarkers hs-CRP and IL6 can be linked to greater inflammation.

WHAT IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

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Rheumatoid arthritis is an incredibly debilitating condition that affects more than 400,000 people within the UK.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue - such as the lining go the joints.

It causes joints to become sore and inflamed and damages bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

If the condition isn't treated, these chemicals gradually cause the joint to lose its shape and alignment.

Experts said the results could reveal that a combination of IL6 and hs-CRP represent a significant driver of cardiovascular risk.

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The researchers concluded: "This study confirms increased prevalence of atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis and provides data to support the hypothesis that patients have a high-risk plaque phenotype."

Dr Natalie Carter, head of research liaison and evaluation at Arthritis Research UK, said: "Rheumatoid arthritis is an incredibly debilitating condition that affects more than 400,000 people within the UK.

The condition can not only limit a person's ability to live their everyday life to the full, but it can also put them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

"This study not only reinforces the link between rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease, but the results can also help us understand what causes atherosclerosis in both patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the general public."

Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty material called atheroma builds up in the lining of your artery walls and narrows your arteries.

Over time it can grow bigger until your arteries become so narrow that they cant let enough blood through.

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Rheumatoid arthritis could be linked to heart condition ... - Express.co.uk

UNC student dispels stereotype, seeks arthritis cure News & Observer Barber has had arthritis since she was 13. She is one of two Triangle residents chosen by the Triangle/Coastal Office of the Arthritis Foundation to be the face of arthritis and to help spread the word about the Triangle Walk to Cure Arthritis on ...

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UNC student dispels stereotype, seeks arthritis cure - News & Observer

BISMARCK, N.D. Everyday activities can sometimes be taken for granted.

For years, a Bismarck woman couldn't perform actions as simple as turning a key because of rheumatoid arthritis.

For most of us, a task like opening the door doesn't require much thought.

But, for Julie Pfliiger, it's one of the many simple actions that gave her pain for years.

"At the time my husband had to get me out of bed. Tie my shoes. I was really incapacitated," said Pfliiger.

Pfliiger suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, a disorder that causes painful swelling in joint linings.

Opening jars, turning a faucet, and even driving challenged her.

"I really didn't go anywhere other than work. And work was really tough at the time," said Pfliiger.

Pfliiger had the condition for 12 years before she underwent surgery at Sanford Health.

During a series of four surgeries, her tendons were tightened and one of her wrists was fused.

Then she started working with a hand therapist to make the surgery effective.

"We went from supporting it, protecting it, to getting the motion, to strengthening within the course of several months," said Cory-Vatnsdal Gezk, hand and occupational therapist

Vatnsdal Gezk says Pfliiger's condition was one of the most extreme she's ever seen in patients, but her recovery was one of the most successful ones.

"To help her son get dressed, to turn a key in her car, to turn a doorknob, get dressed, do her laundry. Cook, cut food, the things that you and I take for granted she does wonderful now," said Vatnsdal Gezk.

Pfliiger continues to work with her therapist to gain strength in her hands and wrists.

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Sanford Health helps woman with rheumatoid arthritis - KFYR-TV

The survey found that because treatments don't always work as well as patients would like, people living with RA have tried an average of more than four prescription medications in the last 5 years.1

In addition, the survey revealed a need for more support of RA patients, particularly when it comes to the conversations they have with their physicians about treatments. Although a majority of respondents say that doctors are their go-to source for information on treatment options for RA (91 percent), many people living with RA (58 percent) delay seeing a doctor right away if their treatment stops working.1 Those surveyed cited several reasons for the delay, including because they think the symptoms will go away on their own (41 percent of those who delay) or they don't want to switch to a perceived stronger medication with potentially more side effects (37 percent of those who delay).1

"The Honestly RA results reveal there is a clear need for more support of RA patients from management of the disease impact on their life to the conversations that they have with their physicians," said Dr. Olga Petryna, Rheumatologist and Clinical Instructor at NYU Langone. "Many patients are dissatisfied with their current treatment and express frustration when a switch in treatment is needed. That's why physicians and the broader support community need to engage those patients who may be struggling to meet their treatment goals in an open conversation."

Notably, people with RA also feel a lack of empathy from others around them. Ninety percent of Honestly RA respondents said that given RA is a largely "invisible" disease, it is frustrating when others do not understand how much pain they are in.1

"My pain affects almost every area of my life work, travel, spending time with friends and family and it can be frustrating when someone doesn't understand the impact," said RA patient, blogger and advocate, Angela Lundberg. "I know it can be difficult, but I encourage everyone living with RA to not be afraid of speaking up, initiating a conversation with your doctor about treatment and celebrating all of your little achievements no matter how small they seem, or how hard they are for someone else to understand."

About the Survey Honestly RA included data from 1,004 patients aged 18 and up in the U.S. who self-reported they were diagnosed with RA and whose treatment journey had progressed beyond just a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID). The online survey was fielded between July 25 and August 8, 2016 by Edelman Intelligence on behalf of Sanofi and Regeneron.

About Sanofi Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi is organized into five global business units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging Markets, Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Consumer Healthcare. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

AboutRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, invents, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. Regeneron commercializes medicines for eye diseases, high LDL cholesterol, atopic dermatitis and a rare inflammatory condition and has product candidates in development in other areas of high unmet medical need, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, pain, cancer and infectious diseases. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.

Sanofi Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "plans" and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the absence of guarantee that the product candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, Sanofi's ability to benefit from external growth opportunities and/or obtain regulatory clearances, risks associated with intellectual property and any related pending or future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, volatile economic conditions, the impact of cost containment initiatives and subsequent changes thereto, the average number of shares outstanding as well as those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements

1 Honestly RA Survey Results PPT, Oct. 2016. 2 Mayo Clinic. "Rheumatoid Arthritis." Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/home/ovc-20197388. Last accessed March 2017.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-results-show-eighty-percent-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-report-life-altering-pain-daily-or-multiple-times-a-week-despite-treatment-300449267.html

SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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Survey Results Show Eighty Percent of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Report Life-Altering Pain Daily or Multiple ... - PR Newswire (press release)

Durham Herald Sun

UNC student dispels stereotype, seeks arthritis cure Durham Herald Sun Barber has had arthritis since she was 13. She is one of two Triangle residents chosen by the Triangle/Coastal Office of the Arthritis Foundation to be the face of arthritis and to help spread the word about the Triangle Walk to Cure Arthritis on ...

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UNC student dispels stereotype, seeks arthritis cure - Durham Herald Sun

A 4,000 year-old medical tradition from India is the inspiration for a local researcher whos looking for new ways to treat and prevent arthritis.

In the lab hes unlocking the healing properties of herbs, fruits, and flowers.

In this weeks Exploradio, WKSUs Jeff St.Clair explores how modern science is revealing the ancient secrets of Ayurveda.

My mother suffered from arthritis," says Northeast Ohio Medical University researcherTariqHaqqi.

He says aspirin and other conventional treatments didnt help, so she sought a traditional healer who prescribed certain herbs.

And my mother felt quite a bit of pain relief and she was even able to walk after those medicines, so those things were in my mind from my childhood.

Inspired by that success, Haqqi now studies how natural remedies work to relieve arthritis.

We are studying the pomegranate extract. We are studying also another medicinal plant from India called Butea monosperma, and we are studying a purified compound called woginin, which is from the Chinese traditional medicine system.

Pomegranate fruit and juice is everywhere. Butea monosperma, or the Flame of the Forest tree, and the compound woginin from the Chinese skullcap flower (Scutellaria baicalensis) are a little less familiar.

Haqqi is testing all of them as potential arthritis medicines.

Healing properties of pomegranates

In a recent study Haqqi fed rabbits with surgically induced arthritis a pomegranate extract both before and after the surgery.

He found that the cartilage in the knees of rabbits that ate pomegranates was relatively untouched by arthritis.

We are not seeing the cartilage degradation here," says Haqqi, "because the enzymes which are involved in matrix breakdown are not being allowed to go up.

Haqqi says compounds in the pomegranates migrate to the synovial fluid surrounding the knee joints, seep into the cells, and block the breakdown of the tissue.

One of his students is testing an extract of flowers from the Flame of the Forest tree to see if it has a similar effect in humans.

Flame of the Forest flowers

Mohammad Ansari shows me a petri dish with a thin layer of liquid that he says contains five million cells, which under a microscope look like misshapen polygons.

Theyre called chondrocytes.

All the cartilage in your body, your knees, your nose, your ears, all of it comes from this one type of cell.

In the petri dish Ansari treats the chondrocytes with an inflammatory protein called Interleukin 1 betathat triggers the breakdown of cartilage basically inducing arthritis - then he adds the Flame of the Forest flower extract.

Ansari says compounds from the flower extract called polyphenols stop the cartilage breakdown.

They inhibit these pathways," that cause inflammation, Ansarisays, and boost the growth of the cartilage matrix.

Ayurveda's ancient knowledge

The fact that these plants have healing properties is no surprise to Marc Halpern, founder of the California College of Ayurveda.

Theres no shortage of evidence supporting the effectiveness of Ayurvedic medicine today.

Ayurveda translates as the "science of life."

Its a system of medicine that originated in India around 4,000 years ago, preserved in ancient texts.

The textbooks of Ayurvedic medicine describe almost every condition that we face todayfrom cancer to ulcerative colitis, to pneumonia, to interstitial cystitis, kidney stones

The texts include descriptions of herbs like the ones Tariq Haqqi is testing in his lab.

How does the Ayurvedic system of medicine work?

Ayurveda is a science of understanding what is right for you, says Halpern.

Were all different, says Halpern, and so is the way we respond to remedies.

The closest thing to it in Western thought would be our genetic makeup. We each have unique biochemical needs. Ayurveda has understood this for thousands of years.

Halpern looks at 50 or so physical characteristics, your pulse, skin, eyes, digestion to determine what he calls your Ayurvedic constitution and tendencies.

The emphasis, he says, is on prevention, and once we understand their tendencies, then we can work with those tendencies to define a diet and lifestyle thats right for that person.

Halperns college is the only school in the country that certifies Ayurvedic doctors, the highest level of accreditation.

Currently there are only a handful of Ayurvedic doctors in America. But the number of Ayurvedic practioners and health counselors is growing.

Halpern looks forward to the day when Ayurveda goes mainstream.

Eventually the day will come where you see an advertisement for Ayurvedic medicine during the superbowl!

He is working with a yoga studio in Columbus to train Ayurvedic practioners.

Meanwhile at NEOMED, Tariq Haqqi is for seeking new, safer treatments for arthritis, using Ayurveda as inspiration.

It is now for us to go deeper into it with modern science.

See the article here:
The Ancient Science of Ayurveda Inspires Arthritis Research At ... - WOSU

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Many children lose their sight or suffer impaired vision due to an inflammatory complication of the condition.

Scientists believe they may have uncovered the silver bullet when it comes to stopping this devastating damage.

A pioneering trial, funded by the charity Arthritis Research UK and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), has discovered a drug combination which has very impressive results.

The trial was first of its kind in the world and the findings are being hailed as a major step forward for thousands of children.

The trial's co-chief investigators, Professors Athimalaipet Ramanan, based at Bristol's Children Hospital and Michael Beresford, based in Liverpool, found that a drug called Adalimumab, in combination with Methotrexate, was an effective therapy in children with arthritis who go on to develop Uveitis an inflammation of the eye A staggering 75 per cent of those treated with the medication experienced a significant reduction in eye inflammation.

Early analysis of the data was so convincing that the trial was stopped prematurely.

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Professor Ramanan, who also works at Bristol University, said, Uveitis in children is an important cause of loss of vision.

This study demonstrates the benefit of Adalimumab in children with uveitis. This is the first randomised trial of its kind worldwide and the results will have a major impact in children with uveitis all around the world.

Professor Beresford from University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: This landmark trial has demonstrated the commitment and leadership of colleagues across the UK in working closely with patients and parents in tackling a key priority of finding the very best way of caring for children with arthritis and this serious problem of uveitis.

It has shown the UK to be extremely well placed to deliver challenging trials in children, with the support of the NIHR Clinical Research Network and other research networks that are in place across the UK.

There are 15,000 children and adolescents in the UK with the auto-immune disease JIA. One third of those are likely to develop uveitis, leading to more serious visual impairments and may be registered as blind.

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Stephen Simpson, the director of research and programmes at Arthritis Research UK said: We are thrilled of the outcome of this trial and the huge promise it heralds for transforming the quality of life for the large numbers of children with JIA-associated uveitis.

This trial is an impressive example of how investing in exceptional science can ultimately help change how treatment is delivered with direct and immediate benefit for patients.

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British trial will save the sight of thousands of arthritic children - Express.co.uk

Home Anti-Aging Arthritis Palindromic rheumatism (a cause of rheumatoid arthritis): Causes, symptoms, and treatment

Palindromic rheumatism is a rare inflammatory condition and a precursor of rheumatoid arthritis, with about a third of patients progressing to the disease. Palindromic rheumatism is considered a form of inflammatory arthritis and is also goes by the name palindromic arthritis. It is characterized by flare-ups that start in one joint but may spread to others before settling down. Flare-ups are episodic in nature.

Due to the rarity of the condition, little research on the topic has been done. However, previously done studies have shown that during episodes of palindromic rheumatism, inflammatory cells move into the lining of the joints, promoting the characteristic redness and swelling in the affected area. What triggers this reaction is unknown, though genetic factors have been suggested. Other possible reasons could include infection, imbalance of hormones, and even trauma. Palindromic rheumatism affects both men and women equally for all ages.

Symptoms often present with sudden and recurrent attacks of painful swelling in one or more joints, with attacks lasting as long as several days or just a few hours. It is common for patients to be symptom-free between these attacks. This inflammatory action may travel from joint to joint after the initial flare-up, but soon disappears with joints feeling normal after a short period. This inflammatory reaction is not known for causing damage to the joints. Over time, some individual with this condition may develop chronic joint inflammation and go on to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Other palindromic rheumatism symptoms may include:

Odds are, if you happen to have this rare condition, your physician may not recognize it right away. The symptoms may be confused with other similarly presenting disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, which may prompt your doctor to perform various tests in this regard, but will often come up inconclusive, further prolonging the diagnosis of palindromic rheumatism. This lack of obtaining a definite diagnosis right away will most likely lead to you seeing a specialize that the recommendation of your doctor, which will very likely lead to an accurate diagnosis of your condition. Specialists for conditions such as this are often called rheumatologists.

Unfortunately, no specific tests exist to diagnose palindromic rheumatism, but instead with the eye of a highly-trained doctor in the conditions, such as a rheumatologist, a diagnosis based on symptoms alone is often enough. This conclusion will often come after all other likely causes of similarly presenting symptoms have been ruled out become making a palindromic rheumatism diagnosis

The most effective treatment strategy aims at decreasing the amount of inflammation occurring at the joint. Your doctor may recommend taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can be effective in decreasing inflammatory episodes, as well as for controlling pain and stiffness.

Other medication such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can help lower the frequency and length of attacks. It may also reduce the probability of developing rheumatoid arthritis in the future. This medication is typically not the first choice when treating palindromic rheumatism, but may be an option if your doctor feels it is the best form of therapy in your particular case. Blood monitoring, frequent checks for side effects, along with kidney and liver monitoring are often required for drugs like these for palindromic rheumatism treatment.

If you happen to have palindromic rheumatism, there are many things to keep in mind when facing recurrent attacks. The following can help ease your symptoms:

During an attack:

Exercise: It may be useful to see a physiotherapist as they may help you find your best balance of rest and exercise. Staying active helps keep your joints working properly, but it is important to know your limits and not to overexert yourself, as palindromic rheumatism and fatigue commonly come together.

Diet: While no food has been conclusively identified to help palindromic rheumatism specifically, keeping a well-balanced diet that helps lose weight may keep you from putting excess tension and stress of your joints.

Work: A mild form of the condition is unlikely to significantly affect your work, but frequent and more severe inflammatory episodes may cause some difficulties. By making some necessary adjustments, you can cope with such symptoms more effectively. If you find you are unable to work due to your condition, there may be programs available that help those with disabilities.

Sex and pregnancy: Constant feeling of fatigue and pain may be off-putting when thinking about having sex, but during the symptom-free times between episodes, having sex should be a relatively pain-free experience. If you are looking to become pregnant and are currently taking certain medications for the treatment of palindromic rheumatism, it is best to speak to your doctor first and make the necessary medication adjustments, as they may interfere with normal fetal development.

Related Reading:

Use of pedometers found to decrease fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Rheumatoid arthritis and feet: The connection and feet arthritis pain relief tips

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/expert-answers/palindromic-rheumatism/faq-20058516 http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/palindromic-rheumatism/ http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/palindromic-rheumatism/diagnosis.aspx http://www.healthline.com/health/palindromic-rheumatism#treatment4

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Palindromic rheumatism (a cause of rheumatoid arthritis): Causes, symptoms, and treatment - Bel Marra Health

People who see dermatologists for the skin condition psoriasis should not take the presence of joint aches and pains lightly, as the two things might be connected. The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that psoriasis is a precursor to psoriatic arthritis in 30 percent of patients.

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the rate of skin cell reproduction. People with psoriasis may experience redness, itchiness and raised bumps (plaques) of skin on various areas of their bodies. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that typically occurs in people with skin psoriasis, but also can be present in those without the skin condition, but particularly among those who have relatives with psoriasis.

The American College of Rheumatology says that psoriatic arthritis typically affects the large joints, especially the lower extremities, distal joints of the fingers and toes and the back and sacroiliac joints of the pelvis. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis are crucial to relieving inflammation and preventing permanent joint damage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can develop gradually or quickly, and some symptoms can be severe. NPF indicates that common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include

morning stiffness and tiredness;

tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons;

swollen fingers and toes;

reduced range of motion;

nail changes, including pitting, and

redness and pain in the eyes.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are similar to rheumatoid arthritis, gout and reactive arthritis. Doctors will rule out other symptoms that may be indicative of those conditions. The American College of Rheumatology also indicates that psoriatic arthritis is typically blood test negative. The diagnosis is typically made by a rheumatologist after reviewing a clinical history and performing a physical exam.

Treatment

Doctors will need to assess symptoms before deciding on a course of treatment. Mild cases may respond to over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. However, antirheumatic drugs and newer biologic drugs may be prescribed to treat more aggressive cases of psoriatic arthritis.

Corticosteroid injections can be useful for swollen joints, and surgery may be necessary to repair badly damaged joints.

Individuals who suspect their arthritis may be linked to psoriasis can first speak with a dermatologist or primary care physician. The NPF also offers a screening tool at http://www.psoriasis.org/psa-screening. TF175007

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Arthritis linked to another condition | News | thesnaponline.com - Stanly News & Press

I saw my Doctor about my shoulder pain. He took an X-ray and told me nothing is wrong.

A more appropriate response would have been, theres nothing broken. Most sources of shoulder pain are not obvious on an X-ray. The shoulder is a remarkable joint with more movement than any other joint in our body. Thus, diagnosis of the specific cause of pain in the shoulder can be difficult.

The earliest signs of arthritis in the shoulder typically appear in the joint connecting the collar bone to the shoulder blade (acromio-clavicular or AC joint). In the absence of injury, this joint can show signs of arthritis on x-ray as early as age twenty-five. Pain associated with this joint is increased with lying on the side, using the arm at shoulder height or higher, pulling things toward you or away from your body. The pain does not make motion impossible but the use of the shoulder increases the pain.

Rotator cuff tears may be partial or complete. Risk factors for rotator cuff problems include male gender, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Trauma is also a major cause, fall on shoulder or outstretched hand, shoulder dislocation, lifting or pulling heavy objects. Partial tears are more painful, full thickness tears result in loss of motion and weakness. Many partial tears do not require surgery. Full thickness tears will not heal without surgery. But with therapy, the patient may regain an acceptable motion and use, depending on the patients needs.

A cartilage ring surrounds the socket of the shoulder. This cartilage ring, the rotator cuff and the joint capsule provide a stable joint with an extensive range of motion. Tears of this cartilage ring cause pain and mechanical symptoms. They usually result from shoulder dislocation or an unexpected pulling injury to the arm. The bicipital tendon, one of two tendons to the bicep muscle is attached to this cartilage ring. Tears of the bicipital tendon are common. Usually the result of lifting heavy objects. Tears of this tendon usually do not require surgery. The patient will lose ten to fifteen percent of strength bending the elbow. A cosmetic deformity of the bicep contour will occur, but does not contribute to significant weakness.

The shoulder joint contains cartilage and is prone to developing arthritis. The onset is gradual. Primary complaint is pain. As the arthritis becomes more severe the patient will eventually lose motion. The pain is described as constant, increased with use and many times associated with painful catching and grinding.

Another frequent source of shoulder pain is actually referred from the neck. The patients neck may not hurt! The pain is typically in the back of the shoulder blade. The majority of time, the pain will go below the elbow sometimes causing numbness and tingling in the fingers. Pain that is solely due to a shoulder problem may go to the elbow but not below. Unfortunately, having an injured shoulder does not mean you dont also have a neck problem, and vice versa.

The key to minimizing shoulder pain lies in maintaining muscle fitness not only the rotator cuff, but the muscles that stabilize your shoulder blade. The shoulder allows us an incredible ability to perform complex tasks. Shoulder pain consequently can be a source of severe dysfunction.

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MEDICAL MATTERS: Shoulder pain can be early sign of arthritis or other injury - Odessa American

Five years ago, Bronnie Ware was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

The then 45-year-old decided to take a "natural" approach to healing.

For two and a half years, Ware tried a variety of alternative remedies, including herbs from naturopaths and an alkaline-based diet, to manage the autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints.

Her well-intentioned approach only saw her deteriorate.

"It got to the point where my one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was helping me get dressed," explains the single mother and internationally best-selling author of Five Regrets of the Dying.

She struggled to walk more than 30 metres at a time and couldn't get up and down from the floor.

"I was in horrific pain," Ware says. "I was exhausted."

Eventually she was forced to admit that her rigid resistance to conventional medicine was backfiring. She went to a GP who also practised alternative therapies including acupuncture and Ayurveda (India's traditional medicine system which incorporates nutrition, yoga, acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine).

"He said, 'OK, I understand where you're coming from but your body is in too much trauma to come back on its own now it's too far gone, you really need to try these immuno-suppressant drugs'," Ware recalls. "Reluctantly I did."

Despite her reluctance, the medicine helped.

"They gave me a lot of mobility back and freedom and it gave me a sense of hope again," she says.

"It's been a huge journey of surrendering my very rigid beliefs that this is the only way to go. The pharmaceutical medicines did have a lot of side effects but they also had a lot of other benefits that brought me back to a place where I could actually heal from."

Up to 70 per cent of Australians use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and about 24 per cent of adults with a chronic health condition regularly use complementary medicines to help them treat their condition, in particular for arthritis and osteoporosis.

With each year, the $4 billion industry grows. In fact, the number of people visiting a complementary health professional (most commonly a chiropractor, naturopath or acupuncturist) has increased more than 51 per cent in 10 years.

"There are some conditions where medical treatment is, in my view as a GP, non-negotiable. I think rheumatoid arthritis is one of those examples," says Dr Kerryn Phelps, who adds that delaying treatment can cause irreparable joint damage.

"Cancer treatments are another situation where I quite often have people saying 'I'm just going to battle this with the power of my mind and diet' when they've literally got no chance of surviving without chemotherapy."

Phelps, the author of The Cancer Recovery Guide, adds that there is a place for 'adjunctive therapies' as she prefers to call them. "There are many instances where recovery can be enhanced by adjunctive treatments."

There are also instances where pharmaceuticals are not the best option.

"There are lots of conditions where pharmaceutical treatments can be minimised or even eliminated if people take the right lifestyle measures," Phelps says, pointing to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and osteoarthritis.

"The thoughts around pharmaceutical and medical treatments changes with time and as we understand more about side effects."

Those wanting to explore different treatments should find a doctor who has an understanding of "a broad range" of options, Phelps advises.

"Someone who can direct them to appropriately trained allied health practitioners ... and who has an understanding of when medicine is the most appropriate treatment and how to combine those things."

Along with conventional treatment, Ware continued to care for her diet and use CAM, including a "prescription" from an Ayurvedic doctor to do something "really fun" each week.

"She said that stress is far more detrimental to our body than anything we can do with our diet so it's much better to eat a chocolate when you're happy than have a green juice every day when you're stressed," Ware says. "We have so much pressure and stress we sometimes lose the fact that life is to be enjoyed. We need joy and lightness to balance the stress and pressure on ourselves."

Ware, who details her journey in her new book Bloom, says she now has a very different attitude to health, one that embraces both the conventional and CAM.

"I was very rigid that 'I'm going to find the natural path to this' and it was just causing me so much stress so I've let go of all that nonsense now," says Ware, who is now off the meds.

"I went to some pretty low places with RA and I still live with RA but I'm jumping on a trampoline now and riding a pushbike and travelling and I've got my life back."

To launch Bloom, Ware will be touring Australia in May. For more information and tickets, go to talkingsticks.com.au

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'I was in horrific pain': Alternative remedies for rheumatoid arthritis backfire - The Sydney Morning Herald

Doing more to help those living with arthritis may not be the most top-of-mind in this provincial election, but it should be. Political will is, after all, the only thing that stands in front of the opportunity to demonstrably improve the lives of the approximately 650,000 British Columbians living with chronic arthritic pain. Its a change that every single one of us can commit to making part of our decision about who to vote for on May 9.

For most people, waking up, getting dressed, and going about their daily activities is done without a passing thought or worry. But for the 1 out of every 6 British Columbians currently living with arthritis, the chronic joint pain and stiffness associated with the condition can make even the simplest of tasks, such as brushing teeth or putting on socks, an agonizing experience. Improving the care and treatment landscape for people living with arthritis deserves much greater political attention in the upcoming provincial election.

Arthritis can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background. While many people associate the disease with old age, the fact is that more than half of British Columbians living with arthritis are under the age of 65. Arthritis is everywhere, and its impacts are a lot more serious and costly to our province than many people realize.

As it stands, inadequate supports and access to treatment options for people living with arthritis are hurting the B.C. economy. A lot has been done, but we need to see more. Currently, 1 in 4 British Columbians living with the disease of working age report not being able to work due to their condition. Many still are frequently forced to change jobs or reduce work hours, negatively impacting their careers and their livelihoods. In British Columbia, and across the country, the impact of arthritis on the economy, in terms of health care costs and lost productivity, is enormous: an estimated $33 billion each year.

In B.C., almost half of people living with arthritis report having pain that prevents them from doing everyday activities. Having the disease also translates into a three times greater likelihood of having mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, and an 80 per cent chance of having other chronic health issues, such as obesity and diabetes.

Despite all this, arthritis is a long way down the list of issues that get mentioned by political leaders during this years election campaign trail. While the province is faced with another hot-button issue - the ongoing opioid crisis - political leaders must also give due attention to people living with the disease. As part of that, they must recognize that arthritis patients need better access to effective management strategies for their chronic pain.

This includes improved access to promising new therapies, like biologic drugs. These medications have been instrumental in helping many British Columbians living with rheumatoid arthritis, and should be part of the physicians toolbox. As no single biologic therapy works for all arthritis patients, a range of choice among these therapies is critical.

Special attention must also be given to First Nations people, where the prevalence of arthritis is five times higher, and to people all across British Columbia living in rural and remote communities. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to preventing the permanent joint destruction associated with arthritis; however, many people living outside of urban areas face difficulties receiving timely diagnosis and care. There is an urgent need for improved access to specialist expertise and local supports, including homecare, to improve mobility and decrease pain for these underserved populations.

During this election campaign, when candidates knock on your door put them on the spot when it comes to arthritis. Ask them where they stand and whether, if elected, theyre willing to commit resources and embrace new policies to ease the pain of those living with the pain of this disease. Arthritis may not be the number one issue on the minds of candidates. But for 1 in 6 voters, its the number one issue in their lives.

Christine Basque, Executive Director of the BC Division of The Arthritis Society

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Arthritis can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background - BCLocalNews

The link between weather and aches and pains may not be such an old wives tale after all.

Retired college lecturer Nora Boswell, 68, has arthritis and is one of 13,000 people taking part in a research project called Cloudy With A Chance Of Pain.

Run by Manchester University and Arthritis Research UK, it is studying the connection between flare-ups and weather.

Here Nora, tells how technology is helping her manage her arthritis .

My mother had bad arthritis in her knees and ten years ago mine started playing up. When Id go down stairs, Id get a sharp pain in my kneecaps. Then it became more debilitating.

Nora, from Thornton, West Yorks, continued: I often walk into the village but I started struggling downhill. It wasnt a real surprise when an X-ray revealed arthritis .

Doctors say I may have deterioration in my shoulders and spine.

I dont like taking painkillers. Theyre a short-term fix. But regular exercise has helped me so much.

I use a Fitbit activity tracker to walk 250 steps an hour and as many squats as possible. Ive got to keep my muscles going.

Arthritis Research UK has excellent exercise routines to help manage pain.

On their website I found an article asking for volunteers for a citizen science four-year study called Cloudy With A Chance of Pain. The results will be out next spring.

Early data revealed people reported less time in severe pain across three UK cities from February to April but pain increased again in June.

Its long been a bit of an old wives tale that the weather can makes aches and pains worse. My chiropractor said many more clients come in after certain weather conditions in pain but there was no proof.

I thought it was great someone was researching it so signed up and downloaded the app.

Ive been logging my pain scale every day on my smartphone while my phone is automatically collecting hourly local weather data. It asks questions, such as how stiff you feel, and you can move a dial to the appropriate level. Ive noticed pain is worse if its damp. We had a long, damp autumn and I got fed up as I couldnt go out for walks.

Hot weather also has a negative affect on it. My husband John and I went on holiday to France and it was very hot.

After two days, I ached. And when we had a hot spell back in the UK my arthritis flared up. So summer beach holidays are out and we go in autumn.

I cant wait to see the results of the study. Until then Ill continue to exercise. I go for a walk most days or use the cross trainer at home. I also go to a pilates class once a week.

If you have arthritis , its also important to pace yourself. Yes, everything takes longer but youll be in less discomfort.

Some people might be OK waiting for someone to give them a pill but youve got to help yourself too.

Continue reading here:
Feeling under the weather? Arthritis sufferer explores whether link between aches and weather is valid - Mirror.co.uk

The word arthritis literally means inflammation of the joints. Joints in the body occur where bones meet. Bone ends are covered by cartilage and are encased in a fluid-filled synovial membrane used to lubricate the joint. Common symptoms are generally pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced function/mobility. However, the root causes are not always the same. There are distinctive differences between Osteo Arthritis (OA: wear & tear/degenerative joint disease) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA: auto-immune/inflammatory disease). Lets explore.

Who

OA: Affects both men and women. Process can begin after the age of 40 and symptoms are often present by age of 65.

RA: More common in women and can affect anyone, at any age.

When & How

OA: Gradual onset & increase in severity. Characterized by deterioration of and decreased ability to turn over (replace) cartilage tissue. This can be due to altered enzyme activity, building block deficiency and repetitive use/damage. This results in painful friction of exposed joints rubbing together, leading to inflammation of joint lining. After much cartilage is worn away, bone spurs may develop in joint spaces.

RA: Rapid onset. Characterized by an auto-immune response that leads to a self-attack on synovial membrane, which in turn leads to its inflammation, thickening, cartilage destruction and scar tissue formation.

Number & Types of Joins Affected

OA: 1-2 joints, Asymmetrical (Not even on both sides usually one side acts up first). Affects the weight-bearing joints (i.e. knees & hips).

RA: Multiple joints, Symmetrical (Affects both sides of the body the same way). Affects the synovial joints (i.e. hands & feet) but can progress to larger joints.

Non-Joint Involvement

OA: Absent.

RA: Commonly affects other tissues throughout the body. Other symptoms include fever, depression, fatigue, etc.

Types & Causes

OA: 2 Types Primary & Secondary.

Primary Potential causes include age, obesity, high impact sports, excessive use/exercise, free radical damage, poor nutrition, dehydration.

Secondary Results from a pre-disposing factor/condition such as joint or ligament damage/abnormality, infection, previous inflammation, loss of blood supply.

RA: Single Type.

Auto-immune response (when your body breaks itself down/attacks its own tissues). Potential underlying causes include poor digestion/diet (nutrition deficiencies, imbalance of gut bacteria, leaky gut, and food sensitivities), stress, chronic inflammation, heredity/genetics, imbalanced immune system, smoking/toxins and infections or overgrowth (i.e. candida).

Did you know 56% of patients with inflammatory arthritis have an imbalance of gut bacteria?

Suggestions?

1. Symptom Relief:

2. Tissue Protection: Look for Antioxidants (Quercetin, Zinc, Pycnogenol, Selenium, Vitamin E, Grape Seed Extract)

3. Repair Nutrients:

4. Topical Ingredients: Capsaicin, MSM, Arnica, Celadrin, Menthol, Peppermint, Eucalyptus.

5. Diet Tips: Avoid nightshades (i.e. tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, peppers and paprika), citrus, red meat, dairy, sugar, tobacco and any potential food sensitivities as they may aggravate pain & inflammation. Drink plenty of water. Eat mineral-rich and green foods to detox & alkalize. Eat more sulfur-containing foods such as garlic, onions, asparagus, etc.

6. Lifestyle Suggestions: Attain a healthy weight, manage stress and blood sugars, do light, non-weight bearing exercises (i.e. swimming). Consider wearing Cirulating Clothing!

7. Improve Gut Health: Ensure daily Probiotics and consider supplemental L-Glutamine, Enzymes/HCL, Fibre & VITAMIN D3.

8. Modulate Immunity: Consider ingredients such as Plant Sterols, Medicinal Mushrooms or Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

9. Fight Infection (if necessary): Oregano, Silver, Garlic, Grapefruit Seed Extract

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All About Arthritis - mySteinbach.ca (blog)