Short description:

An overall analysis of available arthritis treatments, including osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, this book covers pathophysiology, traditional medicine, alternative therapies, and lifestyle changes. It focuses on treatment regimens, including synthetic drugs, their safety and toxicity; natural and herbal products; healthy foods; and non pharmacologic interventions such as acupuncture and psychosocial management. With numerous tables, figures, and charts, it examines the association of arthritis in obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease and offers extensive research on natural products as well as synthetic drugs such as COX-2 inhibitors.

Long description:

A debilitating disease of pain, inflammation, and loss of mobility and quality of life, arthritis takes victims of all ages, from young children to seniors. Usually chronic, the broad term arthritis refers to nearly 100 distinct manifestations, each with their own etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. With medical research getting so much attention, it is no wonder there have been recent leaps in the investigation into arthritis treatment. It is important to have a high quality, trusted compendium to capture the breadth and depth of new information in the field.

Covering cutting-edge information on arthritic diseases and their treatment, Arthritis: Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Therapeutics details the intricacies of arthritis and inflammatory responses, their consequences, their economic burden, and their impact on society. Offering a mechanistic approach to pathophysiology and treatment, the book begins with an overview of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

Section Two highlights the consequences of arthritis and the link between arthritis and obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as well as other related disabilities. The third section focuses on antiarthritic drugs, including an overview and update on antiarthritic drug development by Dr. Micheal G. Lyon from Stanford University School of Medicine, and a chapter on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other chapters cover biologics in arthritis treatment, topical applications, and the use of hyaluronan and hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sections Four and Five are devoted to natural therapeutic and orthopedic interventions such as glucosamine and chondroitin, MSM, capsaicin, shark cartilage, and fish oil, while Section Six discusses nonpharmacological approaches including physical exercise and acupuncture. The final section provides a commentary on the correlation between a

Table of Contents:

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiology of Arthritic Disorders. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: An Overview on Rheumatologic Disorders. Osteoarthritis: Disease Pathophysiology. Biomarkers of Osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Disease Pathophysiology. Inflammatory and Biomarkers in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Effects of Tumor. Necrosis Factor-alpha Blockade. Regulation of Osteoarthritis Development by Wnt-beta-catenin Signaling through the Endochondral Ossification Process. CONSEQUENCES: Arthritis, Obesity, Increased Cardiovascular Risk and Disability. ANTI-ARTHRITIC DRUGS: An Overview: Use of Anti-arthritic drugs and update on drug development coupled with DDS. COX-2 Inhibitors and Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Ibuprofen, phenylbutazone, naproxane, Maloxcan, Indomethacin). Celebrex and Vioxx. An Overview on Biologics for Arthritic Diseases. Topical Applications for Pain and Arthritic Diseases. Hyaluronic Acid. NATURAL THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS: An Overview on Natural Therapeutic Interventions and Role of Physical Exercise. Glucosamine and Chondroitin: An Overview. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). S-Adenosyl-L-methlonine (SAMe). Undenatured type II Collagen (UC-II). Curcumin and Turmeric. Boswellia serrata, Indian Frankincense and 5-Loxin. Efficacy of Selected Oils including Fish Oil, Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids, y Linolenic Acid, Black Currant Oil, Borage Oil and Evening Primrose Oil in Arthritic Diseases. Avacado Soybean Unsaponifiables. Bromelain and Ananas comosus. Zingiber officinale (Ginger) and Olive Leaves. Cat's Claw, Devil's Claw, Stinging Nettle and Urtica diocia. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Calcium and Vitamin D. Red pepper, Capsaicin, Thunder God Vine and Tripterygium wilfordii. Shark Cartilage. ORTHOPEDIC APPROACH: An Overview on Orthopedic Approach (Knee Replacement) in Arthriti