Autoimmune Arthritis, Disease, and Chronic Inflammation

Autoimmune arthritis refers to any of a group of joint diseases that involve autoimmunity. Essentially, it is a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own joints and soft tissue.  It is different than the degenerative forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, which is primarily due to aging and physical wear and tear on the joints, along with diet-related inflammation.
 

According to the International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement (IAAM), among the specific diseases classified as autoimmune arthritis are:

·         Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

·         Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

·         Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (SS)

·         Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE)

·         Still's Disease

·         Juvenile Arthritis (JA)

·         Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
 

There tends to be a genetic correlation to these conditions. If one member of a family has one of the diseases listed above, it is very common for another family member to have the same condition or one of the other listed conditions.

The most common symptoms suffered by those with autoimmune arthritis include joint pain, joint inflammation, inflammation of the connective tissues or soft tissues, flu-like symptoms, brain fog, fatigue, and low grade fever.

Research has shown that diagnosing the disease within six months of the initial onset of symptoms offers the greatest hope for remission.  Unfortunately, the average time to diagnosis is one to three years since symptoms can be attributed to other conditions, and they do not tend to be severe at the beginning of the disease.

Some of the early onset symptoms include the following: 

      ·   Costochondritis (an inflammation of the connective tissue between the ribs)

      ·   Joint pain on both sides of the body

      ·   Unexplained injury in which the person feels they have injured themselves or gotten a
            sprain, but with no injury having occurred

      ·   Feeling stiff after periods of inactivity

      ·   Pain that comes and goes from one day to another, moving to different parts of the body with
           no apparent cause

      ·   Skin problems such as flaking, scaling, and rashes

      ·   Unusual fatigue that can sometimes be mistaken for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

      ·   Locking of the joints, causing frequent clumsiness

      ·   Loss of appetite and/or nausea 

Although degenerative arthritis is often treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or joint replacement surgery (but SHOULD be prevented through diet, exercise, and adjustments!), the only conventional treatment for autoimmune arthritis is a class of drugs that works by suppressing the immune system, called “disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs" (DMARDS). However, while these may help to control the symptoms, the suppression of the immune system leads to other problems such as liver disease and an increased susceptibility to infections.  There is currently no cure for autoimmune arthritis, and often the goal of treatment is simply to try and control symptoms to varying degrees with medication, diet, natural remedies, and holistic therapies such as chiropractic and massage therapy.

And this is where I step in.  We need to start thinking of autoimmune diseases as “Chronic Inflammatory Diseases”, which result in chronic bodily abuse through refined foods, poor exercise, and poor joint mobility. 

I have personally seen people with chronic cases of the following types see dramatic improvements by making sometimes difficult, but necessary, and ultimately very WORTHWHILE changes to their diets:

• Chronic Joint Pain
• Trunkal Fat Deposits
• Knee Arthritis
• Depression
• Fatigue

As you’ve possibly heard, I consider nutrition to be more important even than the chiropractic adjustment!  If you want to know more, mark August 13^th on your calendar, and attend our next nutrition class!