Arthur is just plain irritating

House Calls

By Gerald W. Deas, M.D.

Many of my religious patients refer to the medical condition known as arthritis as "Arthur," and when Arthur ain't so kind to them, he's arthritis or just plain irritating.

I'm sure many of you have heard that old Negro spiritual entitled "Dem Bones." The substance of this song comes from Ezekiel 39 in the Old Testament when God told the prophet Ezekiel to go and tell his folks who were all bent out of shape spiritually and physically, that if they wished to get their dry bones together, they would have to make some spiritual adjustments. Ezekiel began to preach to his tribe. He related to them that to get their disjointed selves together, they would have to connect their bones, muscles, tendons and skin- treating them as one unit. This would enable them to start strutting righteously toward the "promised land."

When you think about it, Ezekiel was way ahead of the doctors when he suggested that a joint is more than just bone. A joint consists of the skin that covers the muscles, tendons, blood vessels and bone. It is a very complicated space. It is therefore important for the physician to treat all of these components to reduce pain.

When a joint is irritated, muscle spasms occur. This also must be attended to with muscle relaxants, as well as taking an appropriate amount of calcium and magnesium. To reduce swelling and pain, hot and cold compresses will make the joint jump for joy. Oftentimes, ice packs are used to reduce swelling by decreasing the amount of blood reaching that area. It is often important when a joint is swollen from an injury to remember the acronym RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

Just remember this-when joints begin to swell and pain? and there's no one else to blame? just follow some other suggestions below? and you will be ready to Go Som-Mo.

Moderate exercise can keep the joint from becoming stiff and you won't become a stiff-hard to deal with, harsh, hopeless and hard to move.

A supplement of multiple vitamin containing the antioxidants vitamin A, C, E, folic acid, B6 and vitamin D also will help.

An ample amount vitamin D (1,000 IU) will help reduce muscle spasms.

An over the counter supplement containing glucosamine and chondrotin will help to strengthen the cartilage on the surface of bones.

Believe it or not, even celery tea reduces inflammation. I'm sure you have heard of Dr. Brown's celery soda, which helps in reducing joint pain.

A cup of two of green tea soothes an irritable joint.

Fish oil (omega 3 oil or cod liver oil) will do wonders for a painful joint.

Don't forget the berries that are filled with flavonoids such as blueberries, blackberries and cherries.

Recently, it has been reported that co-enzymne Q10 (30mgs daily) will reduce inflammation in the joint.

Reducing nightshade veggies such as potatoes, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes, which contain a substance called solanine, which irritates the joint, will provide relief.

Medications that are often prescribed by a physician are capable of reducing inflammation, but not curing it. Many of the medications have side effects. Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by drugs such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve and aspirin. When gastrointestinal bleeding occurs the stools will become black as tar. This is a danger signal. Tylenol, which is used frequently for joint pain can cause liver damage in persons who are alcohol users.

Whatever over the counter prescriptions you might use, they should be discussed with your physician. Many of them might interfere with medications that you are on for other conditions such as hypertension, heart failure and other drugs that he might be giving you to control "Old Arthur."

Drugs might allow you to strut but you also have to take care of your gut.

This is part of the October 3, 2007 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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