I’m 13 years old and I have Crohn’s Disease along with R.S.D. and also Juvenile Arthritis. I could possibly have lupus. I’ve finally figured out how to control most of the Crohn’s Disease flare-ups with natural remedies but my other problems are full fledged still! RSD, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, will literally make my legs turn blue, cause me to lose any feeling in my legs and arms and I cannot use my legs sometimes when the flare-ups are really bad! Juvenile Arthritis is something else I could possibly have. No doctor has confirmed it, yet and I’ve had to travel out of town to see rheumotoligists before because the ones in my town didn’t know what to do with my conditions!!!

When I was 6, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Now keep in mind that this was after coming to the hospital about twice a week for about 4 years because my Crohn’s flare-ups were so bad! My mom is a redhead, I like to call her hothead!, and thankfully she won’t take no for an answer!! She was extremely persistent in trying to find the cause in my horrible stomach pain even though almost every time we went to the doctor, they would tell her I was just fine! This was all before I was diagnosed. Eventually, she found a doctor that somewhat understood what we were going through (mainly her at the time, because I was very young) and tried all the possible treatments that could help ease the disease. Even today, there is no cure for Crohn’s Disease!! At 6, the doctor that helped us diagnosed me with Crohn’s Disease and put me through a series of medications including some that children aren’t allowed to take. I took Methotrexate for a long period of time and cannot think of the other medications right now. I now have to wear glasses because of the medicines I took and my family and I are pretty sure that the medications I took caused my other conditions. We’re pretty much certain that the medicines cause my RSD.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is an illness that causes the lower and upper extremities to turn a bluish color and causes the extremities to become numb. When I first had a flare-up, it was when I was 11 and my parents thought it was a blood clot. So did the doctors. We went through a series of tests that day because I had to go to the hospital. I was admitted for a week and during that time, I had to get an epidural!!! Yes, that thing pregnant women get! I had to get it because my legs were hurting so bad they had to numb them! We’re still not sure if what I have is RSD, but it’s all we got for now!

I know this is long and sorry but I only gave you two of my illnesses! lol If any one else has any thing I have, please give me tips on how to control it! Anything will help!?Thank you!!!

Painful arthritis forms in the body in two ways, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis.  For this article we will discuss inflammatory-arthritis and natural herbal alternatives for reducing swelling and pain.  The popular option for controlling arthritis pain is taking prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; these drugs have been linked to cardiovascular, kidney and liver disease.  If that doesn’t sound appealing, natural alternatives are available for inflammatory arthritis.  Herbs like boswellia, ginger, skullcap, turmeric, acacia, hops, holy basil, feverfew, and white willow bark. Fortunately supplement manufacturers have learned about the anti-inflammatory properties of these herbs and do make them in various combinations to help relieve swelling and pain.

The first one on the list is boswellia, has a long history of use as a mild anti-inflammatory herb for joint pain and stiffness, and noted by herbalists of its effectiveness.  The primary compound in boswellia known for its anti-inflammatory affect is boswellic acid, when purchasing boswellia always look for products standardized to boswellic acid.  Ginger root has been known for its anti-inflammatory affects as well, ginger inhibits the production of the immune-system components called cytokines which cause inflammation in the body.  Ginger is also known as a COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor in suppressing prostaglandin synthesis which would reduce inflammation in the body. Ginger also stimulates circulation helping the body bring vital blood and nutrients to the inflamed areas of the body.  Skullcap is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory herb.

Turmeric also known as Curcumin has been used in South America as an anti-inflammatory herb for many years.  The curcuminoids in turmeric has been clinically proven to reduce inflammation.  Turmeric is also a potent antioxidant good for fighting free radical damage which tend to cause inflammation in the body.   Acacia and hops are both traditionally used for inflammation and pain.  Many formulas are available such as {Curamin} by Europharma which works good as an anti-inflammatory combination.

Feverfew since the first century has been used for the treatment of headaches, fever, menstrual discomfort, arthritis, and other aches and pains.  According to a clinical trial study in England, feverfew when taken for three to four months can reduce the severity and frequency of migraines and other sorts of pain.  Feverfew acts in a manner like the class of pain relievers known as COX-2 inhibitors, feverfew also reduces the absorption of thymidine by white blood cells, this will reduce the rate at which leukotrienes is produced which is a inflammatory chemical in the body.

Finally, white willow bark has been used like aspirin as a pain killer with out the aspirin side effects.  White willow has been used for fever, colds, minor infections, acute and chronic rheumatic disorders, mild headaches, and pain caused by inflammation.  According to a clinical study done on white willow bark in England, researchers at the center for Complementary Health Studies at the University of Exeter gave eighty two participants with chronic arthritic pain either Reumalex, herbal supplement with white willow, or placebo. After two months the white willow herb proved to be superior to the placebo pill.

This list of anti-inflammatory herbs should get you on your way to a healthier more pain free life.  As always, the statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease please consult your health care physician before discontinuing medication or introducing herbs into your diet if you are currently on medication of any kind.

In North America, arthritis is a widely spread disease. According to recent survey, it was found out that 1% of the total population is affected by one or more form of arthritis. Read the rest of this entry

In reality arthritis is an all encompassing terms that is used by many to cover a large group of in excess of 100 medical conditions with the common connection within this group of 100-plus conditions are that they all in some way affect the musculoskeletal system, in particular the joints. Read the rest of this entry

DNA Spiral

Investigations show us that suffers with chronic bowl disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, are prone to developing other associated conditions which can include liver disorder, fissures, fistulas, and arthritis. The most widespread of these conditions, with typical estimates showing as much as 25 to 26%, suffer with arthritis.

Flare-ups of Crohn’s Disease Arthritis can often occur at the same time as a flare-up of Crohn’s disease but unfortunately can continue, sometimes for up top 10 weeks before any remission or improvement is felt. Read the rest of this entry