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How Does Psoriatic Arthritis Affect Diabetes Risk? Endocrinology Advisor The prevalence of diabetes is higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with greater PsA activity correlating with a higher risk of developing the disease, according to recent research published in The Journal of Rheumatology. Psoriatic ...

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How Does Psoriatic Arthritis Affect Diabetes Risk? - Endocrinology Advisor

Marion Morrissey from Co Limerick was diagnosed with psoriasis at 15.

Living with a chronic skin condition can be very difficult as although it may not be life threatening, treatment can be all-consuming and the anxiety caused by such a visible disorder can take its toll.

Up to 140,000 people in Ireland suffer from psoriasis, an auto-immune disorder which causes the skin to reproduce at a rapid pace resulting in itchy, painful scales all over the body, including the scalp and nails.

And if this discomfort wasnt enough, 40,000 will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis which affects the back and joints causing severe pain and immobility.

This month, Arthritis Ireland has launched a campaign entitled More than Skin Deep, which provides expert information on the condition and advice for sufferers.

There is a lot of research going on in Ireland into psoriatic arthritis and its causes, says consultant rheumatologist Prof David Kane.

These are mainly looking at the genes that cause the condition in families and using ultrasound imaging and synovial tissue biopsy of the joints to study patients who have the disease in order to find new targets for treatments.

For immediate pain relief there are a range of painkillers but these do not deal with the underlying inflammation which will ultimately lead to permanent joint damage.

But fortunately there are now a lot of specific treatment options for psoriatic arthritis that will reverse the joint inflammation, reduce pain and prevent joint damage.

Marion Morrissey from Co Limerick knows only too well what it is like to have the condition as she has suffered with it since she was a teenager.

I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 15 so have lived with the condition for more years than I have lived without it and it has affected absolutely everything in my life, says the 39 year old.

My initial diagnosis was of a very dry flaky scalp at the hairdressers. I then went to my GP who diagnosed psoriasis. But that GP (and many others since), didnt have much time or empathy as psoriasis wasnt perceived to be serious as its not usually life threatening.

But my condition got progressively worse until I had almost 75 per cent body coverage. Then when I was 24 I got nail psoriasis which looks like a fungal infection there was no treatment for this but luckily, being female, I could paint my nails. Over the years I have tried every treatment available from conventional to alternative creams, lotions, ointments, sprays, moisturisers, shampoos and PUVA light treatment anything that offered even a glimmer of hope, but none really worked.

Morrissey, who is married with three children and runs her own healthcare training company, http://www.safeaid.ie, was dealt a further blow when the skin condition transferred to her joints.

I developed psoriatic arthritis aged 32 and became really worried about my quality of life, she admits. The pain and stiffness started in my fingers and toes it was really severe especially in the mornings, really affecting my ability to carry out normal daily activities.

My fingers and toes would be hot and throbbing and had a sausage-like appearance so this along with the stiffness and pain made many tasks difficult. Driving was affected as getting a grasp on the steering wheel and pressing on the pedals was hard due to the pain in my toes. Even brushing my daughters hair was a problem as I couldnt hold the brush and this really took its toll emotionally.

The pain and stiffness spread to her knees, ankles, elbows and neck until eventually Morrissey sought help. She was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and put on medication and while it took several different drugs to discover which would work best for her condition, her current medication is keeping the pain under control and for the first time in years, she is living life to the full.

I got my official diagnosis from a rheumatologist who gave me steroid injections in my fingers and toes, says Morrissey. But this only worked for a month or so before the symptoms came back. Then I was put on many different types of anti-inflammatory drugs which also just kept things at bay for a while before I got significantly worse.

The pain was so bad at one point that I had to set my alarm for 4am in order to take a cocktail of medication so I could function and get downstairs by 7am. With a new baby and two older children, this was incredibly difficult, particularly as I was also trying to keep my business going.

But 4 years ago I was started on a different drug and I havent looked back since. I have been given my life back and cannot even begin to compare it now to what it was before.

I am totally symptom-free and to date, havent experienced any side effects. I live a very full and busy life both at home and in work and I am very thankful.

My advice for anyone who has just been diagnosed with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is to be assertive and keep going until you find the right treatment as the results can be life changing.

Kane says lifestyle changes can also help ease the often crippling symptoms of this condition.

Medication is the cornerstone of treatment for psoriatic arthritis, he says. But patients can also help manage their condition by having a healthy diet, managing their weight to reduce the strain on their lower limb joints, exercising to keep joints and muscles healthy, managing stress levels and seeking help for anxiety and depression.

Anyone who is concerned they may have the condition should raise this with their GP or dermatologist both should be able to spot early signs of psoriatic arthritis.

For more information visit http://www.arthritisireland.ie

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Psoriasis has affected absolutely everything in my life - Irish Times

Drug combo works against chikungunya arthritis in mice Trinidad Guardian Combining a drug for rheumatoid arthritis with one that targets the chikungunya virus can eliminate the signs of chikungunya arthritis in mice in the disease's earliest stage, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St ...

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Drug combo works against chikungunya arthritis in mice - Trinidad Guardian

Home Anti-Aging Arthritis Researchers develop new arthritis treatment

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis are developing a new treatment for arthritis that can ease symptoms and make existing medications more effective. Injuries such as a twisted ankle, broken hip, and torn knee cartilage can have long-term side effects including arthritis, joint degeneration, osteoarthritis, and inflammation that could result in chronic pain. The team, led by professor Lori Setton, have found that silk particles can aid in the delivery of existing medications to affected areas that are sometimes hard to reach.

To develop this new treatment, the researchers addressed the main cause of cellular breakdown, inflammation, and pain following an injuryan intracellular compound referred to as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). They are currently working on a method that utilizes silk to deliver two NF-kB inhibiting molecules to the site of the original injury in order to prevent long-term joint damage.

Setton explained their method, stating Silk naturally doesnt interact with water, and, when you mix it with these molecules that also dont interact with water, they bind to each other very strongly. We believe these selective compounds are therapeutically effective, but weve never been able to get them to their target site. By delivering them with the silk, we hope to get large doses to the target site with low toxicity and to have them remain in that compartment for longer periods of time.

In initial trials, Setton and her team have shown that compounds are able to stay in the joint space approximately five times longer when they are delivered with silk microparticles than when they are delivered alone. This new delivery method will begin testing in animal models in the near future.

If this method proves to be effective in animal and human trials, it could provide a more efficient way of treating the cause of long-term joint damage and potentially prevent the development of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis.

Related: Living with arthritis? Simple lifestyle and exercise tips to improve your joint health

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11 best essential oils for arthritis: Control arthritis and inflammation

Osteoarthritis pain in older adults can be managed with chair yoga

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-02-apill-team-arthritis-treatment-silk.html

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Researchers develop new arthritis treatment - Bel Marra Health

Home Colon And Digestive New research links Crohns disease to arthritis

New research published in Science Translational Medicine has revealed a bacterial link between Crohns disease and arthritis. Crohns is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, that causes abdominal pain and diarrhea, and patients have also reported experiencing joint pain.

The immune system of patients with Crohns attacks the bowels and digestive system, but it can also target the musculoskeletal system and cause spondyloarthritis, resulting in spine and joint pain. This new research has found a link between the two conditions that may help explain why the immune system can turn its sights on the musculoskeletal system.

Researchers gathered fecal samples from patients with IBD and found that those with IBD and spondyloarthritis had a significant presence of E. coli bacteria in their samples. These samples, as well as mouse models, were used by the team to conclude that the E. coli bacteria was connected to the cells that help regulate inflammation in individuals with autoimmune disorders. Patients who had both Crohns disease and spondyloarthritis were found to have higher levels of these inflammation regulating cells, which are triggered by a protein known as IL-23.

These results have provided a target for potential treatments and medications, and with a better understanding of the inflammation caused by bacteria, scientists may be able to develop better treatment options to relieve the symptoms of Crohns and spondyloarthritis. They also open the door for the development of more personalized treatment regimens, as doctors may soon be able to address sources of inflammation specific to each patient.

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Crohns disease natural treatment with home remedies

Never ignore these types of stomach pain

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New research links Crohn's disease to arthritis - Bel Marra Health

Osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist is a relatively common condition that can lead to significant pain, stiffness and functional limitation. In some cases, arthritis can develop after a fracture or other trauma. However, most of the time it occurs as part of the aging process. Over time, the normal cartilage within the joint degenerates, thins and can wear away entirely, causing pain and inflammation.

Arthritis can occur in any of the joints of the hand and/or wrist, but the joint at the base of the thumb and the small joints of the fingers are most commonly affected. So, how do you know if you may be affected?

Patients with arthritis typically have pain and swelling in the affected joints. They also may notice that certain knuckles become more prominent as a result of osteophyte (bone spur) formation. Range of motion often becomes more limited. Many patients report difficulty with pinching and gripping activities, like opening jars or turning doorknobs or car keys.

Unfortunately, there is no good way to prevent hand and wrist arthritis. Its believed to be caused by a combination of genetics and just general wear and tear that occurs during life. If you do experience symptoms, however, seeing a doctor as soon as possible may allow for more treatment options.

Initial evaluation of the patient with arthritis usually will include a detailed history, including activities or treatments that worsen or improve symptoms. Physical exams can help determine which areas are most symptomatic, as well as assessing the motion and stability of the affected joints. Often, X-rays will be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

For patients with earlier-stage disease and milder symptoms, conservative treatments such as ice or heat, rest or activity modification can be effective. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) or pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) also can help with symptoms. For arthritis in certain locations like the joint at the base of the thumb splint usage or hand therapy may have a role. As symptoms become more severe, steroid injections into arthritic joints may provide short-term relief.

For patients with more advanced disease and symptoms not adequately addressed by non-surgical therapies, surgery may be an option. For patients with arthritis in the joint at the base of the thumb (carpometacarpal [CMC] arthritis), surgery can provide significant pain relief while preserving strength and motion in the thumb. Typically, the surgeon removes the arthritic bone (called the trapezium) through a small incision at the base of the thumb. One of the tendons in the area is then rerouted to support the thumb while it heals. After a period of immobilization and rehab, patients are able to return to full activity.

For the smaller joints of the fingers, arthroplasty (joint replacement) with silicone or pyrocarbon implants can preserve motion while relieving pain. These procedures are more commonly performed in the proximal finger joints (those closer to the wrist). For the more distal finger joints (those farther from the wrist), stability is often a more important concern, and an arthrodesis (fusion) procedure can relieve pain and provide a stable platform for pinch-and-grip activities.

Dr. Michael Potter is with Sentara Martha Jefferson Orthopedics.

This column, which promotes community health, is sponsored by Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Region Ten Community Services Board, Thomas Jefferson Health District and the University of Virginia Health System.

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Vital Signs: Treatment options can ease pain of hand and wrist arthritis - The Daily Progress

NICHOLAS MCBRIDE

Last updated17:58, February 12 2017

Palmerston North Hospital will have to call on a neighbouring region to help treat its arthritis patients.

A new rheumatologistwas expected to start in February, after its two specialists retired and resigned,respectively, last year.

However, the new doctor will now not start until May, meaning the hospital will have to call on Hawke's Bay for support.

READ MORE: * Concerns raised over shortage of arthritis specialists and delays in replacements * Arthritis sufferer told hospital department will close - DHB denies this

That has prompted Arthritis New Zealand to say the condition is not prioritised in the health system.

Arthritis NZ chief executive Sandra Kirby said the specialist shortage was a "pretty well documented reality".

"We have been concerned for many years about a shortage of rheumatologists in New Zealand.

"It has been an issue for more than a decade. It is not a new phenomenon."

Kirby said arthritis was not viewed as a priority in the New Zealand health system, despite 620,000 people living with the condition.

"Manawatu has been well served [in the past], so this is disappointing."

She expected patients would still get a good service from the Hawke's Bay staff.

MidCentral DHB clinical services and transformation general manager Mike Grant said the new rheumatologist was relocating to New Zealand from the United Kingdom.

"Originally, the doctor was scheduled to begin earlier in 2017, however, the relocation process has taken longer than envisaged."

"In the interim, a rheumatologist based in the Hawke's Bay will provide follow-up clinics at MidCentral Health, as well as seeing urgent patients referred to the service.

"Support for inpatient management will also be available to senior medical officers, ensuring continuity of the rheumatology service for all patients requiring this care."

In a MidCentral committee agenda, Grant said rheumatology patients tended to have a higher proportion of chronic, long-term conditions, rather than acute cases that require urgent attention.

"These arrangements will ensure there is capacity to see any urgent patients referred while we await the arrival of our new specialist."

-Stuff

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Palmerston North Hospital calls on neighbour to treat arthritis patients - Manawatu Standard

Statistically there are more than 10 million cases of arthritis reported in India every year, and innumerable others that arent. Clinically speaking arthritis is more commonly seen in women, since they have a tendency to gain weight, especially Indian women, which in turn stresses the joints leading to the condition. Erratic intake of calcium is another precipitating factor. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which causes pain, inflammation and reduced motion in the joints. It typically affects the hands, knees, hips and the spine. The condition withers the cartilage, the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bone in a joint. When a person loses cartilage, the bones rub together, this can permanently damage the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand is an autoimmune disease, which affects the entire body since there is an abnormal response of the immune system. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, including joints and internal organs in some cases. Rheumatoid Arthritis is more incapacitating than osteoarthritis. The pain associated with arthritis depends on the stage, the symptoms are directly proportional to the stage. The early arthritis patients respond better as opposed to patients with an advanced condition, who have constant pain in joints throughout the day. The most commonplace joint to be affected is the knee, though there are also arthritis cases of shoulder, hip and other smaller joints. Early signs shall help more so with inflammatory arthritis, for instance Rheumatoid arthritis. Patients may complain of early morning stiffness, and if someone has this disorder the stiffness should last 30 to 40 minutes. It is suggested that if a patient goes through morning stiffness, and swelling in small joints, they should consult an Orthopedic Surgeon or a Rheumatologist at the earliest, since this condition if unchecked can be extremely detrimental for the joints. People in India normally resort to self-medication for alleviating pains. They allow the condition to go undiagnosed for years, and consult a clinician only when hands and feet get deformed and the pain becomes unbearable.

There is very little awareness concerning arthritis; therefore, it is imperative that people know more about it and how dreadful it can be. If left unattended, its most devastating side effect being that it can leave people incapacitated for life.

Ways to prevent and treat arthritis

Next week: How to spot early signs of thyroid-related diseases and treat them

Aashish Chaudhry

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Fit & Proper: How to prevent the onset of arthritis - Business Standard

Gum/tooth disease is a common complaint that comes with aging, which is the reason many elderly people lose their natural teeth with age. One thing many physicians and their patients are yet to realize is that tooth/gum trouble is a symptom of a much more serious health challenge. Pain in the joints is a well known symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis, but a much less known fact is the relationship between arthritis and gum/tooth troubles. Physician/researcher Al Sears points this out when he says, But one problem with modern medicine is that specialists often miss the bigger picture. Every part of your body is biologically connected. And whats going on in your mouth can reveal a lot about your health.

New research studies published in the Nature Reviews Rheumatology journal provide evidence to corroborate Sears theory. Sears states, In a study published just a few weeks ago in the journal Nature Reviews Rheumatology, researchers followed 6,616 people for more than 10 years. They found that those who had moderate to severe gum disease had more than twice the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Sears continues, Other research suggests that clearing up gum disease could help prevent or treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine found that people who were treated for gum disease had significantly more improvement in their Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms than those who were only treated for their Rheumatoid Arthritis.

There are a lot of bacteria in your mouth, something like 100 billion bacteria. The bacteria form a sticky film called plaque that hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar cause inflammation in your gums. If you have plaque and tartar buildup, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth. But those bacteria can also travel around your body. And left unchecked, they can cause inflammation in other parts of your body, like in your joints.

The good news is that treating gum troubles could treat or prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine study found that people who were treated for gum disease had significantly more improvement in their RA symptoms than those who were only treated for their Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sears continues, Scientists found that one of the bacteria involved in Periodontitis may trigger a process called citrullination. Researchers who study this process believe its what sparks the immune system and drives the cascade of events that lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The secret of Healthy Teeth is therefore Healthy Joints. To prevent and treat your RA, simply take care of your teeth. Besides just brushing and flossing, do the following for healthy teeth AND joints:

To do this, in the morning before eating or drinking anything, gently swish one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and between your teeth for 10 to 20 minutes. Dont swallow. Spit the used oil into the trash or a jar, not the sink. It will clog your plumbing. Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth as normal.

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Beat Arthritis by checking your teeth - The Nation Newspaper

Bacteria links Crohn's disease to arthritis -- ScienceDaily Science Daily Patients with Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes abdominal pain and diarrhea, can also experience joint pain. In Crohn's ... and more »

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Bacteria links Crohn's disease to arthritis -- ScienceDaily - Science Daily

A twisted ankle, broken hip or torn knee cartilage are all common injuries that can have medical ramifications long after the initial incident that causes them. Associated pain, inflammation, joint degeneration and even osteoarthritis can sideline a variety of different people: athletes, weekend warriors and patients who are either aging or inactive.

A team from Washington University in St. Louis was awarded $1.7 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a new therapeutic treatment that can deliver disease-modifying compounds in a manner to delay the development of inflammation, joint degeneration and arthritis with all the associated discomfort, disability and pain.

Were starting to see that many areas cant be reached via oral drug delivery, said Lori Setton, the Lucy & Stanley Lopata Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the School of Engineering & Applied Science. For example, synovial joint fluid in the knee is almost optimized to rapidly clear compounds out of the joint. So were trying to trick the joint into being a good host for the therapeutic drugs we are delivering.

Setton, whose lab focuses on the role of mechanical factors in the breakdown and repair of soft tissues, says an intracellular compound called nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) is a main culprit in cellular breakdown, inflammation and pain after an injury. Shes working in the lab on a new solution using silk to deliver two specific molecules that can inhibit NF-kB at the site of a fracture or injury in an effort to stave off long-term joint damage.

Silk naturally doesnt interact with water, and, when you mix it with these molecules that also dont interact with water, they bind to each other very strongly, Setton said. We believe these selective compounds are therapeutically effective, but weve never been able to get them to their target site. By delivering them with the silk, we hope to get large doses to the target site with low toxicity and to have them remain in that compartment for longer periods of time.

In preliminary work with Tufts University investigator David Kaplan, Setton showed that model compounds can reside in the joint space about 5 times times longer if delivered with silk microparticles than if delivered alone. Silk is an attractive delivery vehicle because of its long history of safe clinical use, and Kaplan has received NIH support to promote translational uses of silk for medical and other applications. It was initial work in delivering silk to the knee joint that drove Setton to identify a suitable, disease-modifying compound for treatment of arthritis through collaborations with the Musculoskeletal Research Center at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Setton and her co-investigators at the School of Medicine including Youssef Abu-Amer, professor of orthopaedic surgery; Farshid Guilak, professor of orthopaedic surgery; and Gabriel Mbalaviele, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases will soon start testing the new delivery system in animal models.

Delivering drugs orally to combat NF-kB-mediated problems at specific locations in the body, such as the injured knee, can be associated with harmful biological functions, Abu-Amer said. So this type of site-targeted approach to inhibit elevated NF-kB is essential if we want to provide effective treatment to the targeted site.

According to Setton, the enhanced drug-delivery system has the potential to prevent the onset and progression of joint damage in patients suffering from acute injuries, like minor joint fractures, ligament or meniscal tears.

Patients with joint trauma tend to go on to develop osteoarthritis at a higher rate compared to someone who doesnt have the injury, Setton said. Its a whole different type of arthritis development that we dont know a whole lot about, but we believe we can intervene early with new drug delivery and treatments, and prevent onset at a later stage.

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NIH awards $1.7 million to develop new arthritis treatment via silk ... - ScienceBlog.com (blog)

Etanercept vs. Monoclonal Antibody Tx Assessed in Rheumatoid Arthritis Monthly Prescribing Reference (registration) HealthDay News For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, etanercept is associated with lower risk for general infections and tuberculosis compared with monoclonal antibody treatment, according to a meta-analysis published online February 3 in the ...

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Etanercept vs. Monoclonal Antibody Tx Assessed in Rheumatoid Arthritis - Monthly Prescribing Reference (registration)

Dr. Kenneth Simpson/College of Veterinary Medicine

E. coli bacteria (red), which are abundant in the immunoglobulin-A-coated microbiota of patients with a Crohn's disease-associated condition called spondyloarthritis, promote systemic inflammation. The blue circular structures depict the nuclei of cells called epithelial cells.

Patients with Crohns disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes abdominal pain and diarrhea, can also experience joint pain. In Crohns disease, which affects about 800,000 Americans, the immune system can attack not only the bowels, but the musculoskeletal system as well, leading to spondyloarthritis, a painful condition that affects the spine and joints.

Research published Feb. 8 in Science Translational Medicine helps explain the connection between these seemingly unrelated symptoms, and could help physicians identify Crohns disease patients who are more likely to develop spondyloarthritis, enabling them to prescribe more effective therapies for both conditions.

New technology helped the researchers identify a type of E. coli bacteria found in people with Crohns disease that can trigger inflammation associated with spondyloarthritis, according to the study led by principal investigator Dr. Randy Longman and scientists from the Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine and the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Weill Cornell Medicine, microbiologists at Cornells College of Veterinary Medicine, and rheumatologists at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).

The researchers used fecal samples from patients with IBD to identify bacteria in the gut that were coated with antibodies called immunoglobulin-A (IgA) that fight infection. Using flow cytometry, in which fluorescent probes are used to detect IgA-coated bacterial species, the researchers discovered that IgA-coated E. coli were abundant in fecal samples from patients with both Crohns disease and spondyloarthritis. Using patient samples and mouse models, they then linked these bacteria to cells that help regulate inflammation, known as Th17 cells, in people with autoimmune disorders.

Our findings may allow us to develop diagnostic tools to stratify Crohns patients with spondyloarthritis symptoms as well as patients at risk, said senior author Longman, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Jill Roberts Institute Longman Lab at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The investigators found that patients with Crohns disease and spondyloarthritis had higher levels of Th17 cells and that a protein called IL-23 triggers their activity. With the recent FDA approval of an anti-IL-23 medication for Crohns disease called ustekinumab, the findings may help physicians select therapies that target symptoms of both the bowels and the joints in these patients, Longman said.

Just sequencing the gut flora gives you an inventory of the bacteria, but does not tell you how they are perceived by the host immune system, said co-author Dr. Kenneth Simpson, professor of small animal medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine, whose laboratory characterized theE. coli identified in the study. This approach is giving you a functional readout versus just an inventory.

Longman led the translational study along with co-author Dr. Ellen Scherl, director of the Roberts Center at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine and the Jill Roberts Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, in collaboration with HSS rheumatologists and co-authors Dr. Lisa Mandl and Dr. Sergio Schwartzman. Initial funding for the work was provided by a pilot seed grant to foster collaborations between researchers in Ithaca and New York City, and has since been funded by the New York Crohns Foundation, the Charina Endowment Fund, the Center for Advanced Digestive Care, the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in IBD and the National Institutes of Health.

We knew there was smoke, but we didn't know where the fire was, said Simpson, who added that each collaborator provided unique expertise to uncover the findings. If we can block the ability of bacteria to induce inflammation, we may be able to kick Crohns disease and spondyloarthritis into remission.

Longman added: In IBD therapy, this is a step toward precision medicine to be able to clinically and biologically characterize a subtype of disease and then select the medicine that would best fit the patient with this type of inflammation. The results of this innovative study will start to inform our decision of which of our available medications will give the best chance of helping the individual patient.

Jen Singer is an editorial consultant for Weill Cornell Medicine.

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Bacteria links Crohn's disease, arthritis, researchers find - Cornell Chronicle

Prevention.com

8 Women Share The Diet Changes They Made To Get Their Rheumatoid Arthritis Under Control Prevention.com An estimated 1.5 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and it can sometimes feel like there are just as many theories about how to manage its symptoms. "There's no one-size-fits-all approach," says Ashley Boynes-Shuck, who's been living ...

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8 Women Share The Diet Changes They Made To Get Their Rheumatoid Arthritis Under Control - Prevention.com

AHMEDABAD: City-based rheumatologist Dr Vishnu Sharma, at a press meet on Tuesday, spoke about an alarming increase in incidence of arthritis in people, especially younger people, and how a lack of awareness is causing health problems and deformities."There are as many as a hundred types of arthritis, of which more than 90% are curable if diagnosed on time. Some 80% to 90% of patients respond positively to treatment. We want to improve these results and hence want to raise awareness about rheumatology," Dr Sharma said. Dr Sharma then shed more light on 'inflammatory arthritis', the type more prevalent among young and middle-aged people. According to Dr Sharma, inflammatory arthritis has two causes, the first is a genetic tendency and the second is environmental factors like simple viral infections or physical and mental stress. About the influence of lifestyle on arthritis, Dr Sharma said: "Experts have found significant correlation between smoking and arthritis.Arthritis, conventionally a problem for old people and women, is increasing in male patients and the severity is greater in men who are frequent smokers." Dr Sharma said that as part of healthy lifestyle, the patient should have minimal stress levels, a high protein diet and should engage in exercise and yoga.

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'Lifestyle is important in treating arthritis' | Ahmedabad News - Times ... - Times of India

If you have psoriatic arthritis, you may have heard that people withthe conditionwhich causes painful, swollen, stiff jointsoften havelow levels ofvitamin D.In a 2015 study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, researchers found that 40.9% of participants with psoriatic arthritis had a vitamin D deficiency, compared to 26.7% of control participants.Other autoimmune diseases have also been linked to low levels of the sunshine vitamin (so-called because the body produces vitamin D when it's exposed to sunlightyou can also get some vitamin Dfrom food, but sunshine is the main source). In the same study as above, 40.5% of rheumatoid arthritis patients were found to havea deficiency, as did 57.8% of psoriasis patients in earlier research from the British Journal of Dermatology.

Experts believe inflammation may have something to do with this.Autoimmune diseases like psoriatic arthritis and psoriasisinvolve an inflammation process,explainsWaseem Mir, MD, a rheumatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City."We think that inflammation causes a decrease in vitamin D," he told Health."[Its] not because [people] dont have enough vitamin D in their body, but theyre not processing it correctly."

It makes sense. The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Both calcium and vitamin D work to promotehealthy bones, and vitamin D also seems to be involved in proper functioning of the immune system. And the bones and immune systemare both compromised in people who have psoriatic arthritis.

RELATED: 31 Ways to Manage Your Psoriatic Arthritis

Dr. Mir points out that there's been some research to suggest that vitamin D treatment may help ease joint pain in certain people with psoriatic arthritis. One such treatment is vitamin D supplements.If you have psoriatic arthritis, speak to your doctor about your vitamin D levels to find out if supplements are right for you.

Another treatment is phototherapy (careful exposure to ultraviolet rays), but there isn't enough research to recommend this for psoriatic arthritis patients.And although you can feel free to add morevitamin D-rich foods to your plate (think: fatty fish like salmon and tuna, certain kinds of mushrooms, and fortified milk) it's unlikely that you'd be able to reverse a true deficiency through diet alone.

In his own practice, Dr. Mir usually prescribes liquid vitamin D to patients, which he says helps get a better response.

"That is the most effective," he says. "A lot of it is absorbed through the mouth."

However, it is possible to get too much vitamin D, which can result in a build-up of calcium in the bloodand possibly lead to nausea, vomiting, and kidney problems.Speak to your doctor before adding any new supplements to your diet.

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What to Know About the Link Between Vitamin D and Psoriatic Arthritis - Health.com

Kaden Hadfield was just five years old when he died from arthritis (Picture: MEN)

A five-year-old boy who suffered arthritis so bad he could barely walk at times died after doctors failed to diagnose him, his family has said.

Kaden Hadfield attended hospital more than 20 times over a two-year course, but nobody diagnosedhis arthritis and sent him home with Calpol and Ibuprofen.

Despite the pain and struggling to walk at times, Kaden continued to go to school.

It was only when he was finally referred to Alder Hey two years after his symptoms began that he was diagnosed and prescribed steroids.

But by that time the disease had ravaged his body and although treatment seemed to work at first, he sadly died.

Mum Caitlin Tattersall, 25, from Bolton, and dad Lee Hadfield, 29, of Oldham, are now awaiting an inquest this month, when they hope to discover the truth surrounding his death.

Meanwhile, the Trust which runs Blackpool Hospital where he was originally treated has confirmed launching a case review into his treatment.

Caitlin, who lived in Blackpool at the time after she and Lee separated, said: It was heartbreaking, the last time I saw Kaden he was in intensive care, they had his chest open, I could see his heart and lungs.

They tried to save him for 13 hours. But I dont understand. I feel like if Kaden had just had the medication he needed earlier he would be here today.

He had been so unwell for so long he never even complained from the pain, but he needed help. I was taking him to school he was sitting through it and not complaining.

It took two years to get Kaden an appointment at Alder Hey, they diagnosed him straight away but it was too late.

The familys ordeal began two years ago, when Kaden woke up one day with pain in one of his ankles, which a GP diagnosed as a sprain.

But the pain grew worse, and 18 months ago later when it moved to his other ankle, Caitlin took him to Blackpool Victoria Hospitals A&E.

Blood tests showed him to have a vitamin D deficiency and anaemia.

In hospital for a week, he was discharged with a bottle of Calpol and Ibuprofen as well as vitamin D and iron tablets.

The pain spread to Kadens knees then all his joints.

Referred to Rheumatology at Blackpool, Caitlin claims they gave him more Calpol despite an ultrasound showing tissue damage.

Caitlin added: It was worse in the morning, he couldnt walk, he couldnt even scratch his own nose his hands were so swollen and stiff.

We got referred to a physio the therapist said I was doing too much for Kaden and thats why he wasnt able to do things himself. I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall.

At Blackpool Hospital, blood tests showed again showed that he was anaemic, despite the iron tablets.

Finally, after months of delays, Kaden got an appointment at Alder Hey Hospital, where doctors were so shocked they suspected leukaemia.

They diagnosed systemic onset juvenile arthritis and started a course of steroids which immediately began to ease his pain.

But the arthritis was already attacking Kadens joints and organs and he was placed on a high dependency unit.

After six weeks in hospital, he finally turned a corner and his family celebrated with the nurses as he took his first steps in months.

But the next day, Kaden complained of a stabbing pain in his stomach and he was taken to intensive care where his heart stopped.

Caitlin added: They had all these wires on him, they had to open his chest, I could see his heart and his lungs. They were trying to stop him bleeding but it was just pouring from him.

I knew he was going and there was nothing they could do. I was just screaming at them to try.

Kaden died the following day and doctorstold the family it was caused by sepsis as a result of his arthritis.

Caitlin, who is training to be a social worker, added: I want to know exactly what happened.

I want everyone to know. How can a healthy boy go from having a sore ankle two years ago to being gone?

Im training to be a social worker, I know what the standards should be.

Why did it take so long to get a diagnosis?

Describing Kaden as loving, kind and caring, she added: If he was in pain he would just entertain himself, play on his computer. When his friends came round Sometimes he was too weak to play with them. I had to take him to school in a pram in the end, he didnt like it, he said everyone would think he was a baby.

He was in agony every day and he never moaned. Everyone who ever met him loved him.

A spokesman for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: Our thoughts are with Kadens family at this sad time. Upon hearing of his death the trust initiated a case review which is ongoing and is standard procedure in all childrens deaths.

A spokeswoman for Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust said: Our thoughts remain with the family at this extremely difficult time.

Read more here:
Kaden Hadfield, 5, died from arthritis after doctors failed to diagnose ... - Metro

Studies have found that strengthening the quadriceps or thigh muscles may help prevent knee osteoarthritis. But a new study has found that how fast the quadricep muscle is able to generate force for example pushing the leg out may impact knee osteoarthritis too.

More than a third of West Virginian adults report experiencing arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The studys authors followed 3,996 participants for 12 months, 3,820 for 24 months and 3,623 for 36 months. They measured quadricep speed and force by using a special chair with a cable that recorded muscle strength when pushing the leg out. They also tested how well participants walked for 20 and 400 meters and how well the participant was able to stand from after being seated in a chair. Finally, participants completed self-assessments of how well they were able to do daily activities like bathing, getting in a car and getting dressed.

The studys authors found that people with slower muscle responses are more likely to suffer from worse physical function in the future.

We know that maintaining quadriceps strength is important for protection against painful knee OA, said Neil Segal, one of the studys authors. Now, we know the ability to move the muscle quickly is important for keeping people able to walk, stand from a chair and do other functional activities.

Appalachia Health Newsis a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from theBenedumFoundation, Charleston Area Medical Center andWVUMedicine.

Originally posted here:
Muscle Speed Affects Arthritis Prevention as Much as Strength, Study Finds - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

GB Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:GBLX) announced filing the second in a series of patent applications for life science inventions by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Growblox Life Sciences, LLC.

Inflammatory disorders represent a serious health and economic burden in the US with over $200 billion spent annually. GB Sciences novel cannabis-based therapies could significantly help both patients and society. According to the CDC, arthritis affects 22.7% (52.5 million) of adults in the US (2010-2012), and the prevalence is projected to increase to an estimated 26% (78 million of the projected total adult population) by 2040. The total costs associated with arthritis were $128 billion in 2003, and they have been increasing over time. Additionally, 8.6% (7 million) children and 7.4% (17.8 million) adults had asthma (2014), which costs the US $56 billion per year. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis) affected between 1 and 1.3 million people in the US (2007). Per the CDC, IBD is an expensive, chronic disease, which cost the US $11.8 billion in 2008, despite the lower prevalence rates.

The current provisional patent application covers cannabinoid-containing complex mixtures (CCCM) capable of preventing and treating a spectrum of inflammatory disorders. The application focuses on the use of CCCM to disrupt the signaling pathways in certain immune cells that lead to the initiation and maintenance of inflammatory responses. Both common and uncommon inflammatory disorders, ranging from chronic arthritis to acute responses to insect stings, are likely to be effectively targeted by this therapeutic approach.

Although inflammatory reactions are a necessary part of human immunity in some situations (e.g., fighting pathogens), humans (and animals) suffer from multiple inflammatory disorders involving hyper-inflammatory responses. Our novel CCCM strategically target multiple arms of these hyper-inflammatory responses in parallel for maximal effect, rather than inhibiting a single arm like other commonly available anti-inflammatory therapies, explains Dr. Andrea Small-Howard, Chief Science Officer of GB Sciences. For example, anti-histamines are partly effective, but leave untouched those inflammatory pathways that lead to release of other pro-inflammatory mediators, such as bioactive lipids and cytokines. GB Sciences approach is to simultaneously target as many inflammatory outputs as possible with our CCCM, leading to more comprehensive relief from tissue inflammation.

John Poss, CEO, GB Sciences states: GB Sciences is committed to developing cannabis-based therapies for inflammatory disorders that affect large numbers of patients (arthritis, dermatitis, allergic asthma, eczema, IBD, Crohns disease, etc.). Our CCCM products will be developed to the same efficacy and safety standards as other commercially available anti-inflammatory therapies; however, cannabis-based medicines often have more favorable side effect profiles than traditional pharmaceuticals.

About GB Sciences, Inc.

GB Sciences, Inc. (GBLX) is a diverse cannabis company, focused on standardized cultivation and production methods; as well as biopharmaceutical research and development. The Companys goal is creating safe, standardized, pharmaceutical-grade, cannabinoid therapies that target a variety of medical conditions. To learn more about GB Sciences, Inc., go to: http://growblox.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements relating to future results or events, which are forward-looking statements. Words such as expects, intends, plans, may, could, should, anticipates, likely, believes and words of similar import may identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Companys belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Companys control. It is possible that the Companys actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Further, information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Companys business and financial and other results, are contained in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware.

Note: Although the Companys research and development activities are not illegal, the production and sale of cannabis products violate federal laws as they presently exist.

Contact Information

Corporate: GB Sciences, Inc., 3550 West Teco Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89118 866-721-0297, or Liz Bianco Publicity Director, liz@gbsciences.com, http://growblox.com Investors: John Poss, j.poss@gbsciences.com

creating safe, standardized, pharmaceutical-grade, cannabinoid therapies that target a variety of medical conditions. To learn more about GB Sciences, Inc., go to: http://growblox.com

SOURCE Growblox Sciences, Inc.

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GB Sciences Files Patent Application for the Treatment of Chronic Arthritis, Crohn's Disease, Inflammatory Bowel ... - Investing News Network (press...

Arthritis pain supplements fare poorly in new study

Many people take glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for arthritis pain, but a controlled trial has found no evidence that the combination works. In fact, in this study, the placebo worked better.

Spanish researchers randomized 164 men and women with knee osteoarthritis to take a single daily dose of 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine and 1,200 of chondroitin, or an identical looking placebo. The study is in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

The researchers used a scale that shows 10 faces with increasingly pained expressions and asks patients which picture matches their degree of pain. People who took the medicines had a 19 percent reduction in pain scores after six months on the regimen. But those who took the placebo had a 33 percent reduction.

On scales measuring how well the knee worked, there was no difference between the treatment and control groups.

A lot of money is spent on these drugs, and people have thought they were useful to decrease pain and increase function, said the senior author, Dr. Gabriel Herrero-Beaumont, a professor of medicine at the Autonomous University of Madrid. But its difficult to demonstrate that they work. We have not found any kind of pharmacological effect of these drugs.

Nicholas Bakalar, The New York Times

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Health Short: Arthritis pain supplements fare poorly in new study - Sarasota Herald-Tribune