Rheumatoid Arthritis Archives

For years I have watched many people suffer from the pain and the crippling effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis. One thing I have observed is that the degree of suffering varies dramatically with many of these patients. I’ve seen several do very well on minimal medications, and I’ve seen others crippled and bed ridden while taking handfuls of medications. Why is this? Why do some people suffer much more severely than others? Why does this horrible disease effect people to different degrees? Well I cannot give you a definitive answer to those questions, but I will tell you what I think are the distinguishing factors as to why is there such a varying degree of pain, suffering, and complications among Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. This variance that I see in patients, I believe for the most part has to do with their total well-being. Those that have a strong spiritual life, a positive mindset and stay physically active as well as have healthy eating habits seem to fare much better with with this debilitating disease. Most people suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis just want some quick relief, and there are many drugs on the market which can provide that, but I want to see people get more than just quick relief of their pain and suffering. I want to see the progression of this terrible disease halted, possibly even reversed, without the use of these harmful drugs.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Therefore I believe if you want to see optimal relief of the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, you must start with balancing the immune system. 15 years ago a doctor from Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Carson Burgstiner, set out to find what he called a cure for his autoimmune condition. I don’t know if you can truly call it a cure, but he did find what he was looking for, supplements that actually did restore balance to his immune system. Not only did he help himself, but he helped many of his patients also suffering from autoimmune diseases. His story has been documented and you can read about it in this article profiling Dr. Burgstiner several years ago.

This disruption in the immune system that happens in the cases of autoimmune diseases, whether it Rheumatoid Arthritis or any of the other Rheumatic conditions can be caused by numerous environmental factors, as well as allergenic foods and substances consumed in our daily diets. Dr. Johnathan Wright from Tacoma, Washington, has written much about this, and you can find his suggestions and recommendations by following this link. As a sufferer of allergy problems myself, I believe Dr. Wright is spot on with what he suggests about the effects of certain allergenic foods on our immune system and how they can trigger and worsen the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

If you are suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis or you know someone that is, please share this information with them. It is my hope that you will find that nature can possibly have the answer you’ve been looking for. Rheumatoid Arthritis and all autoimmune diseases are very serious conditions. If you do decide you want an answer from nature, don’t go at it alone. Please consult with your healthcare provider and ask them to work with you as you work to take back your health and your life. If you have any further questions on Rheumatoid Arthritis or if you would be interested in learning more about the supplements that Dr. Burgstiner used with his patients, please fill out the contact form, or leave a voice message by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Phil” microphone on CarsonNatural.com

Healthy Blessings,

Dr. Phil

Rheumatoid Arthritis is much less common than the previously discussed Osteoarthritis. Statistics show that Rheumatoid Arthritis affects about 1/10th as many people as Osteo. The main difference between these two forms of arthritis is the cause behind the symptoms. Osteo is primarily caused by wear and tear on the joints whereas Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The body’s own immune system attacks the body’s joints, which is what causes the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Unlike Osteo which usually begins later in life, Rheumatoid Arthritis can begin at any age. Many of the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteo are similar, but Rheumatoid Arthritis can produce more swelling of the joints and often more pain in the joints. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis would be the lumps that can form underneath the skin called Rheumatoid Arthritis nodules, which can be very painful and affect the movement of the joints. Both forms of arthritis are often treated with the same anti-inflammatory medications mentioned in my previous blogs, however with Rheumatoid Arthritis there are also immuno-suppressant drugs used to try and suppress the immune system from attacking the joints. These drugs can have very dangerous side effects.

The difference in health and comfort is clear in a hand with and without Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Just as with Osteoarthritis, there are various natural products that can help with the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I believe anyone suffering Rheumatoid Arthritis can benefit from these natural products. The Wobenzym-N that I recommend for Osteo can help with the symptoms and even possibly help in regulating the body’s immune system, studies show. Because Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, the focus of the treatment needs to be on balancing the immune system. Keep in mind, the drugs being used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis do not balance the immune system but rather suppress it. This suppression provides temporary relief of symptoms, but it does not correct the underlying problem. I have seen numerous patients find tremendous relief using natural products that help balance the immune system. I believe with this debilitating disease, we as health professionals, should be focusing on finding something to treat the underlying immune imbalance rather than treating the symptoms and suppressing the immune system. There are some health professionals out there who are doing this today, and in our next blog, we will discuss what they are recommending and are often getting great results with.

To learn more facts about Rheumatoid Arthritis visit the Rheumatoid Arthritis foundation website, and if you have any questions please contact me by filling out the contact form or leaving a voice message by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Phil” microphone on CarsonNatural.com. I look forward forward to hearing from you and serving you!

Healthy Blessings,

Dr. Phil

Nature’s Answer for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid vs Osteoarthritis, What are the Differences?