JOINT DISORDERS

* ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
* GOUT
* OSTEOARTHRITIS
* RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Arthritis and related conditions affect nearly 45 million Americans, or about one of every six people, making it one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States. By 2020, as the baby boom generation ages, an estimated 60 million Americans will be affected by arthritis.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and although cost-effective interventions are available to reduce the burden of arthritis, they are currently underused. Please refer to Natural Remedies for Arthritis below.

Ankylosing Spondylitis
Anlylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis) causes immobility of the back, and often the shoulders and neck. If affects more than 300,000 people -- usually men.

Gout
Gout is usually associated with lifestyle and diet; gout affects some one million persons -- usually men. Gout is caused by the buildup of acidic crystals, which lodge in the joints. Painful gout attacks often are first felt in the big toe.

Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is a mechanical disease that results from cartilage deterioration and trauma. Under the age of 45, osteoarthritis is more common in men. However, after age 45 it is ten times more common in women than men. Forty million Americans have some form of osteoarthritis from mild to sever, including 80 percent of people over age 50. Some 20 million Americans suffer from disabling osteoarthritis. This number is likely to increase by three or four times over the next several decades. Please refer to Natural Remedies for Arthritis below.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory and immune-mediated disease. Rheumatoid arthritis, also know simply as RA, affects about 2.1 million people -- usually women.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints characterized by alternating periods of active inflammation and absence of symptoms, bboth of variable duration. Some of the symptoms include a sense of utter fatigue and weakness, and running a very slight fever. The joints may become just a little stiff at first, but a few weeks later they become much stiffer and swollen. The stiffness and swelling may start in the small joints like the fingers and wrists but progress to larger joints and afflict both the joints and bodily organs. This is a systemic disease. It affects the body inside and outside. Interestingly, symmetrical joints such as the hands, wrists, ankles, are often hit first with an attack. The joints may even be "hot" to touch. About one third of rheumatoid arthritis patients get luckier than most, and only a single joint area or two are affected; but for the most, the pain will spread throughout the entire body.

The usual age at which it strikes is in the 20 to 40 age group. In terms of gender differentiation, rheumatoid arthritis is most likely to strike women aged 36 to 50, according to the National Rheumatism Foundation. The next major target is men 45 to 60. Some children and teenagers suffer various forms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Helpful Natural Remedies for Arthritis, Gout and other Joint Disorders
Foods:
Cod Liver Oil
Perfect Food
Super Seed
Goatein
Supplements:
Vitalzym
OmegaZyme
FYI
Primal Defense