Current Arthritis News and Research » Arthritis Foundation http://4-arthritis-info.com Regular Updates on the Many Forms of Arthritis Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Arthritis Awareness Month http://4-arthritis-info.com/arthritis-awareness-month/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/arthritis-awareness-month/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:43 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=100 May is national Arthritis Awareness Month and if you hadn’t noticed, there are several activities being held around the U.S. Many communities are holding walks or runs to raise funds for arthritis research.

The Los Angeles walk in Brentwood had over 650 participants that raised nearly $200,000. The participants included former Dodger Ron Cey.

[...] No related posts.]]> May is national Arthritis Awareness Month and if you hadn’t noticed, there are several activities being held around the U.S. Many communities are holding walks or runs to raise funds for arthritis research.

The Los Angeles walk in Brentwood had over 650 participants that raised nearly $200,000. The participants included former Dodger Ron Cey.

Nearly 300 people participated in the Arthritis Walk in Charlottesville, many who walked with their 4 legged friends. 20 teams participated in the 2nd annual run/walk in Bismark North Dakota.

If you are interested in helping out in one of these events you can check the Arthritis Foundation’s event page to find the date of the event near you.

Originally posted 2008-05-05 18:49:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/arthritis-awareness-month/feed/ 1 Kawasaki Disease is a Type of Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/kawasaki-disease-arthritis/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/kawasaki-disease-arthritis/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:38 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2009/01/26/kawasaki-disease-type-arthritis/ The recent death of John Travolta’s son, Jett, has highlighted an uncommon disease known as Kawasaki disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, Kawasaki disease is one of over 100 types of arthritis.

What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is a form of vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels. It typically develops in young children with over 80% of patients under the age of 5, and affects boys more than girls.

Kawasaki disease was first identified by Tomasaku Kawasaki in Japan in 1967. It was also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, Kawasaki’s disease, Kawasaki’s syndrome and infantile polyarteritis.

Kawasaki disease is considered in the U.S. to be the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.

What is the cause of Kawasaki disease?

The cause of Kawasaki disease has not been discovered. There are theories that it is the result of an infection, but this has not yet been proven. There are also those that believe it is an autoimmune condition. In addition, there appears to be a genetic link to development of the disease.

What are the symptoms of Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease develops quickly and is very aggressive for several weeks. After the disease clears, there can still be cardiac complications that appear years later.

The symptoms include:

  • High-grade fever, 102 °F to 104 °F, that lasts for more than 5 days if left untreated
  • Conjunctivitis, also know as “Pink Eye”
  • Chapped, bright red lips
  • Red mucous membranes in the mouth
  • Strawberry looking tongue
  • Joint pain and swelling on both sides of the body
  • Rapid heart beat
  • Peeling skin on the palms and soles of the feet
  • Palms of the hands and soles of the feet are red
  • Swollen lymph nodes, usually in the neck area
  • Irritability

Other symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, jaundice and meningitis.

What is the treatment for Kawasaki disease?

Children should be hospitalized and treated by a physician experienced in treating Kawasaki disease. The usual course of treatment includes intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) given in high doses. In addition, Kawasaki disease is one of the few cases where aspirin is used to treat children. Aspirin is given in high doses until the fever subsides, and then in low doses for two to three months to prevent blood clotting.

What is the prognosis?

If the disease is promptly diagnosed and treatment started quickly the recovery is generally rapid. If left untreated the patient will usually recover, although in a longer time frame than if treated. However, if untreated the risk of coronary artery disease is much higher.

Overall, about 2% of Kawasaki disease patients die from complications of coronary inflammation. Patients who have had Kawasaki disease should have an echocardiogram initially every few weeks, and then every 1–2 years to screen for progression of cardiac involvement.

It is also possible that the patient may experience a relapse of the symptoms shortly after treatment with IVIG which would require hospital treatment again. Also, treatment with aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding and has been associated with the risk of Reye’s syndrome in children.

Originally posted 2009-01-26 14:15:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/kawasaki-disease-arthritis/feed/ 0 New Estimates of Children with Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/new-estimates-of-children-with-arthritis/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/new-estimates-of-children-with-arthritis/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:29 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2007/12/05/new-estimates-of-children-with-arthritis/ A report published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 300,000 children in the U.S. suffer from some from of arthritis. Included in that estimate are some 50,000 to 100,000 that suffer from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that can lead to permanent joint damage.

This report, published in the [...] No related posts.]]> A report published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 300,000 children in the U.S. suffer from some from of arthritis. Included in that estimate are some 50,000 to 100,000 that suffer from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that can lead to permanent joint damage.

This report, published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research, says that 1 in 250 children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with arthritis of another rheumatologic condition.

The study was lead by Dr. Jeffrey Sacks, an epidemiologist with the CDRC. His team studied information from doctor’s offices and emergency rooms across the U.S. One of the findings was that arthritis in children led to 744, 000 doctor visits and 83,000 emergency room visits annually.

This is the first comprehensive national estimate of kids with arthritis. It includes a state-by-state estimate of kids diagnosed with arthritis or other rheumatologic conditions. The report indicates the incidence ranges from a low of 500 kids in Wyoming to a high of 38,000 in California.

They also found that many of these children must travel long distances to receive specialized care. According to their analysis, 15,000 children with arthritis are residents of 11 states which have no pediatric rheumatologist. On average, children with arthritis must travel 57 miles to see a specialist. Those states are Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Dr. Patience White, Arthritis Foundation chief public health officer and a pediatric rheumatologist, says “Due to the lack of availability of pediatric rheumatologists trained in the diagnosis and care of children with arthritis, we know that many children with inflammatory forms of arthritis are not diagnosed early enough to prevent disability”.

In addition, Dr. Suzanne Bowyer, pediatric rheumatologist at the Indiana University School of Medicine stated that kids might bounce from one doctor to another before one that is familiar with the disease makes an accurate diagnosis. She also says that “Pediatricians and emergency room doctors might miss the signs of the more serious form of arthritis and could send kids home without the proper treatment”.
A provision of the proposed Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act introduced in 2004 called for a better determination of the size of the childhood arthritis problem. Passage of the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act is necessary as it would encourage more physicians to enter the field and also would highlight the research needs for children with arthritis.

Originally posted 2007-12-05 19:55:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/new-estimates-of-children-with-arthritis/feed/ 3 Heat Retaining Sleeve to Treat Knee Osteoarthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/heat-retaining-sleeve-to-treat-knee-osteoarthritis/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/heat-retaining-sleeve-to-treat-knee-osteoarthritis/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:45:45 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2007/11/28/heat-retaining-sleeve-to-treat-knee-osteoarthritis/ One of the more common recommendations for treating arthritis is the use of heat. The Arthritis Foundation’s website recommends using heat to relax muscles and stimulate blood circulation. They suggest using dry heat, such as heating pads or heat lamps, or moist heat, such as warm baths or heated wash cloths.

Other options for [...] No related posts.]]> One of the more common recommendations for treating arthritis is the use of heat. The Arthritis Foundation’s website recommends using heat to relax muscles and stimulate blood circulation. They suggest using dry heat, such as heating pads or heat lamps, or moist heat, such as warm baths or heated wash cloths.

Other options for applying heat without being tethered to an electrical cord or sitting in water include the use of wraps. But is there one type that is better than another?

A team from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis took a look at the relative benefits of using a special heat-retaining infrared-reflective versus a cotton-based sleeve for treating knee osteoarthritis. In this randomized study, 52 patients with diagnosed osteoarthritis of the knee were divided into 2 groups. One group was were provided with a verum sleeve (specially fabricated to retain body heat) and the other group was given a placebo (cotton) sleeve.

The participants of the study were directed to wear their sleeve for at least 12 hours a day for 4 weeks on the most painful knee. After the 4 week period their pain level was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index. The group using the verum sleeve reported a 16% decrease in pain while the control group reported a 9.7% decrease. The difference between the groups was not considered statistically significant.

Additionally, 12 of the participants who believed correctly that they had the verum sleeve reported a significantly higher (27%) decrease in pain. Comparatively, the participants that received the verum sleeve but believed they had received the placebo reported only a marginally significant (13%) improvement in pain.

The team, led by Dr. Steven Mazzuca, concluded that “this pilot study was insufficiently powered to be a definitive trial of the heat-retaining sleeve. Given the magnitude of changes in knee pain in the active treatment group, heat retention merits further scientific investigation as a treatment modality for patients with knee OA.”

Originally posted 2007-11-28 22:55:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/heat-retaining-sleeve-to-treat-knee-osteoarthritis/feed/ 0 Preschoolers Jump for Arthritis Foundation http://4-arthritis-info.com/preschoolers-jump-for-arthritis-foundation/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/preschoolers-jump-for-arthritis-foundation/#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:46:42 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2007/12/21/preschoolers-jump-for-arthritis-foundation/ I just read a great story from the Independent newspaper in New Jersey. The Holmdel Township Preschool Center raised funds for the Arthritis Foundation by holding a Jingle Bell Jump on December 5th.

There have been many run and walk fundraisers across the country to support the Arthritis Foundation but this event was unique.

[...] No related posts.]]> I just read a great story from the Independent newspaper in New Jersey. The Holmdel Township Preschool Center raised funds for the Arthritis Foundation by holding a Jingle Bell Jump on December 5th.

There have been many run and walk fundraisers across the country to support the Arthritis Foundation but this event was unique.

Preschool director Diana Pepitone’s daughter, Nicole, has arthritis. As a result she knew that walks are hard on arthritis patients so she came up with the idea of a jump instead.

Bubble wrap was unrolled in the school’s hallways and in the classrooms and pipe cleaners are used to attached bells to the children’s shoes. At 10:00 a.m. the children started jumping on the bubble wrap to the tune of Jingle Bells. As you can imagine the preschoolers had a great time and raised $1,925 for this great cause.

Ms. Pepitone has been working with the New Jersey Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to take the Jingle Bell Jump statewide. This year four other New Jersey schools joined in the event and they are working to get more schools involved.
There is an easy to follow kit that is sent to host sites which includes the jingle bells and sparkly pipe cleaners used to attach the bells to the child’s sneakers, the CD of the “Jingle Bell Rock” song, collection envelopes, incentive prize sheets and promotional materials.

Originally posted 2007-12-21 08:00:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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