Stem Cell Receptors May Fight Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases

TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- New information about the role of bone marrow stem cells could lead to important advances in treating diseases like leukemia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, scientists say.

Researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, Osaka University and Saga University of Japan, studied the purified bone marrow stem cells of laboratory mice. They discovered that these cells -- once thought to be essentially dormant -- can identify the presence of bacteria and viruses in the blood.

"We have long known that so-called hematopoietic (blood) stem cells create the blood cells that are the front-line soldiers in the body's immune system," study author and foundation researcher Paul Kincade said in a prepared statement. "But we did not believe that infectious agents played an active role in the process," he added.

Once the infectious agents have been identified, the stem cells begin defending the body against these foreign pathogens -- a fact that surprised the scientists.

"What we have now discovered is that these stem cells have a sort of antennae that detect bacteria and viruses," said Kincade. "And when stem cells receive these distress signals, they spring to action, creating cells the body most needs early in life-threatening situations," he said. That could mean very good news for patients with autoimmune diseases. Understanding the role of these stem cells means that scientists one day may be able to figure out how to manipulate these stem cells to benefit such patients.

"It may be possible to boost immunity when necessary and also shut down inappropriate responses. That could provide a powerful tool to fight cancer, lupus and many other diseases," Kincade said.

The findings appear in the June issue of the journal Immunity. -- Diana Kohnle

SOURCE: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, news release, June 20, 2006

Abbott receives FDA approval for new delivery device for Arthritis drug called Humira

ABBOTT PARK, Ill (AFX) - Abbott Laboratories said it has received US Food and Drug Administration approval for a new 'pen' delivery device for its Humira arthritis drug. Currently, Humira is taken as an injection beneath the skin via a specially designed prefilled syringe, and the company said the Humira pen is designed to be less painful and easier to use. Humira is currently indicated for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and for active arthritis in patients with psoriatic arthritis, the company added. Abbott said the Humira pen will be available to US patients at the beginning of August. ... AFX News Limited / Forbes.com, June 26, 2006

Click To view Abbott Humira Pen and specifications

Abatacept for People with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

Annals of Internal Medicine

20 June 2006 - Rheumatoid arthritis is joint pain and stiffness caused by an immune reaction to joint tissue linings. It damages the joints and can even destroy them. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the hands, feet, knees, shoulders, and wrists, but it can develop in any joint. There is no cure, but treatment improves signs and symptoms and slows joint damage. Treatment is with drugs that alter the body's immune reactions. Abatacept is a new drug that targets specific components of the immune system. Abatacept inhibits the specific immune cells that cause rheumatoid arthritis and has been shown to improve symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. It has not been directly compared with drugs that are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as methotrexate. Read more about this research project … Abatacept for People with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) Study Results

February 22, 2006

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the popular dietary supplement combination of glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate did not provide significant relief from osteoarthritis pain among all participants. However, a smaller subgroup of study participants with moderate-to-severe pain showed significant relief with the combined supplements. Continue reading ... National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and National Institutes of Health

What is the AccuWeather Arthritis Index?

The fact that weather has an effect on how arthritis is felt by its sufferers is well documented, with surveys showing as many as 93% of arthritis sufferers believing that weather affects their pain level, and 68% believing that weather severely affects their pain level. Patients with arthritis often claim they can predict the weather, based upon their pain level, and a number of studies have been conducted to test this hypothesis. While these studies show that the effects of weather can vary from person to person, many show that arthritis pain is increased by a variety of weather factors, which may swell inflamed arthritic joints, stretching the inflamed joint lining and capsule, thereby increasing the pain of arthritis. Among the types of weather that may increase joint sensitivity and arthritic pain are:

1. Changes in atmospheric pressure, especially falling pressure
2. Changes in temperature, especially lowering temperature
3. High or increasing relative or absolute humidity
4. Relatively low atmospheric pressure
5. Low temperatures

Precipitation Arthritic pain can be especially severe when these conditions are combined, such as during chilly, damp weather when pressure is low and falling.

Now, AccuWeather has developed an index that combines all of the weather factors that may affect arthritis sufferers, and summarizes the most likely severity of weather-related arthritis pain in one easy-to-understand scale, from Low to Extreme. Available exclusively on AccuWeather.com, the AccuWeather Arthritis Index forecasts this level for each of the next several days, so arthritis sufferers can have advanced notice of when they are most likely to have increased pain, allowing them to take appropriate medication and to better plan activities.

We have the Accuweather.com Health Forecast ICON to the right of this Blog page. Click it and find out how your weather is going to affect your Arthritis today or next week. Now you can plan ahead!

Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder characterized by sensations in the lower legs which lead to discomfort unless the legs are moved. Information on the cause, symptoms and treatment of restless legs syndrome. Although the relationship is unclear, several rheumatic conditions are associated with restless legs syndrome including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia... read more ... http://arthritis.about.com/

How to ease Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS):

Here's How:

1. Gently massage your legs, especially the calves toward the heart. Use liniment if you like.
2. Take a warm bath. If you have one, try a whirlpool bath.
3. Take a mild pain reliever in the evening when the sensations first set in.
4. Try some moderate exercise earlier in the day. Don't overdo. Strenuous exercise may aggravate the problem.
5. Avoid alcohol. Not only does it sometimes aggravate the restless legs, it also causes fragmented sleep.
6. Avoid caffeine. It can keep you awake and make your misery all the worse.
7. Nicotine is a stimulant and can worsen your problem as well as keep you awake.
8. Taking a multi vitamin/mineral supplement is sometimes helpful (magnesium might be helpful). For more information see the Arthritis Foundation's Arthritis Today's Vitamin Guide.
9. Cold compresses often alleviate the crawly sensation.
10. Talk to your doctor about medications. Something you are taking may be aggravating or even causing the syndrome.
11. Also talk to your doctor about some of the drugs that have proven effective in the treatment of restless legs.
12. If all else fails, try walking away the misery.

Tips:

1. Restless legs syndrome is difficult to deal with but is not life threatening.
2. Good sleep hygiene, as in all sleep disorders, is always advisable.
3. If you can't sleep at night, and you can manage, it, try daytime naps when the misery has lessened.

Official web site for Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation: http://www.rls.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=178&srcid=-2

Another Story about Linda and her
creepy-crawly legs

Linda Sieh and her family live in Naper, Nebraska, a town of 110 people about two miles from the South Dakota border. It's quite a drive to Sioux Falls and even farther to Omaha, the two closest big cities. It was on one of these long drives 11 years ago that Linda's legs starting twitching, forcing her to pull over and stretch them. Later that year, her legs began jerking while sharp "creepy crawly" sensations shot through them. Bedtime became a dreaded event -- at night the jerking was so powerful and painful, it left her unable to sleep. At her worst point, Linda slept standing up five nights in a row. The exhaustion and confusion were making her life insufferable.

"I was so depressed," Linda says. "I thought I was the only person in the world who had this stupid thing; I had no idea what was happening." Continue ... RX.Magazine

When You're Amoung Friends

As the last few people arrive, Frances Rolander, who started the monthly support group nine years ago, asks people to introduce themselves. Donna and Joe Huser, a couple who are longtime veterans of the group, start. Donna has dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis and a host of other problems stemming from those conditions. Joe began coming to the group meetings with Donna when she was too weak to come on her own, but he quickly found that the meetings helped him immeasurably in understanding what his wife was going through. He's now developed osteoarthritis, which, he likes to joke, he got from the group.

Kathy Barker is a spunky, early-30-something who seems the picture of health except for the splints she wears to support her thumbs, which have been all but destroyed by osteoarthritis. Lisa Kenney, who's there for the first time, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis seven months ago and is learning how to cope with an illness while raising two young children and running a household. Jeanie Thigpen is recovering from knee surgery and walks with a cane. One hesitant young woman introduces herself only as Ruth.

There's palpable sense of relief in the room, a letting down of the guard. Here, at least, people understand what everyone's been going through. No need for explanations or defending health decisions; no need to worry about pity, or callousness, or faking good cheer. There's just a feeling of being heard, understood and supported by people who have stood in your shoes.
Some may come to the group skeptically, expecting to hear people whining and asking, "why me?" But complaining is not what this group is about... continued- Arthritis Foundation

Fibro U / Suite 101

The Coping with Fibromyalgia Course at Suite U is a comprehensive guide, developed by FMers for FMers, authored and instructed by Carol Wallace, Ph.D., that provides invaluable information for coping with your illness ... Fibromyalgia Classes / Suite 101

New Medical Research for CFIDS

Breaking News from The NCF...
Press Releases from The National CFIDS Foundation:
Potential Animal (Zoonotic) Virus Identified in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis and Epilepsy >>> Needham, MA May 31, 2006
http://www.ncf-net.org/PressReleases.htm

"Project OutReach" is Happening NOW!

"Project OutReach"

Our Arthritis Support Group website, blog journal and printed brochures will contain personal stories and articles for Arthritis sufferers, their families, and friends just as we do at our “face-to-face” (F2F) meetings. Maybe there are others still in the shadows of loneliness and chronic pain affected by all types Arthritis; Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Lupus (SLE), Fibromyalgia, and many other forms.

Dear Arthritis Support Group Members, Supportive Friends
And Business Community of South lake County:

Now is the time to consider helping our Arthritis Support Group with our “Project OutReach” wesite, blog journal and printed brochures! Continue reading this message and help out as much as you can. Members, we will discuss it more at our next meeting on July 7th. Nothing will be publicized until you approve the graphics, articles and photos. The Arthritis Support Group’s goal called “Project Outreach” is to create tools to communicate with our local community and globally as Jane Perkins, our group member with a heart of gold, suggested in one of our meetings this last Spring. We need group members and supportive friends who would like to contribute to step up to the “plate” now and S-W-I-N-G!!!!

Printed BROCHURE and WEB SITE IDEAS WANTED!

Due Date for Drafts: July 7th Arthritis Support Group Meeting.

Need some S-H-O-R-T articles about tips for avoiding pain. Examples: cooking, brushing teeth, doing house cleaning, traveling on vacations, exercise, shoes, hobbies and etcetera. (Approximately 2500 characters including spaces.) Please sign anything you send in!

RECIPES and Cooking Tips! Some good cookin’ and healthy foods! Diet tips! Salads, main dishes, snacks! Food! Teas, desserts, party dips, party ideas and more. (Approximately 1500 characters including spaces.)

VISUAL ART - Photos, paintings, hobbies, crafts, drawings and pictures in ‘jpg’ extension format.

POEMS, short stories, editorials about how you cope with your arthritis and life. Creative writers wanted.

* ATTENTION: To Our Supportive Friends in the local business community of South Lake County, FL!

Here is an opportunity to advertise in our PREMIERE printed brochure for the Arthritis Support Group.

The brochure will be considered a tri-publication (3 times a year). We will need your AD slick, business card or existing AD by the due date of July 31, 2006. Contact: Meg King 352-243-2098 or email: arthritisgrpslc@cfl.rr.com.

Distribution / circulation: doctor offices, clinics, medical supplies, Kings Ridge, Summit Greens, churches, medical business; MRI, Dialysis, X-Rays, Labs, health fairs, pharmacies, libraries, health fairs, community events, emergency care centers, hospitals, & Wellness Centers.

Dear Blogger friends affected by Arthritis:

You too are invited to join us in "Project OutReach!" Please email your ideas, suggestions or questions to us at arthritisgrpslc@cfl.rr.com before July 25, 2006. Mail your photo or articles to: 204 Hideaway Ct., Minneola, FL 34715 if you would rather. We won't be able to return them. Thank you very much!

SM Blogger from United Kingdom - where are you?

This is very interesting, I will pass to my aunt who is asufferer.
Thaanks

http://somethingfromme.blogspot.com

SM

Dear SM:

We just received your email message and want to thank you for your compliment about our Arthritis Blog Journal as "interesting". Unfortunately we cannot reach you because you didn't leave your email address. As a new blog site we want to thank you for recognizing us and our mission to reach out to people that suffer from the "invisible disease" of Arthritis. Passing on our blog address to a relative that has Arthritis is exactly what we hoped would happen when we launched this Arthritis blog site this Spring 2006.