Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any contraindications of Rheumafort, and if so, what are they?

In fact, the only contraindication to the use of Rheumafort is an allergy to any of the ingredients of the preparation.

In the recommended doses, the product is completely safe. There are no studies on the safety of using the preparation in pregnant and/or breastfeeding women. Therefore, it is not recommended to use Rheumafort in these situations without first consulting your doctor.

How long can I take Rheumafort?

In principle, there are no time limits for taking this preparation. Rheumafort can be taken as a supplement to the daily diet by everyone over the age of 12. It is especially recommended for people who want to take care of the health of their joints, especially in situations where their lifestyle, type of work, anatomical conditions may expose them to joint diseases.

What are the stages of osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most commonly diagnosed type of arthritic joint disease. It is so common, that doctors now say 1 in 2 people will develop some type of symptomatic OA (osteoarthritis) at some point during their lifetime.

It is a joint related issue, so it can affect the hips, hands, or shoulders, but it is most commonly found in the knees. Fortunately, OA has become increasingly more treatable, especially when diagnosed during the early stages.

Stage 1 – Minor

This is the least severe stage of OA. Patients in stage 1 will develop minor wear-and-tear in their joints, but typically feel little to no pain in the affected area. If you have no history of OA, a doctor will most likely leave your symptoms untreated, but they may advise you take supplements or change up your exercise routine.

Stage 2 – Mild

This is when X-rays will start to show more noticeable bone spur growths (growths that often develop where bones meet each other in the joint). The affected area will start to feel stiff after long, sedentary periods, and will become uncomfortable. Your doctor might suggest a stricter workout routine or a fitted brace to wear.

Stage 3 – Moderate

In stage 3, the cartilage in the affected area starts to erode and narrow the gap between bone and joint. The joint becomes inflamed and starts causing discomfort during normal daily activity. Some treatments include over the counter pain medications, prescription pain relievers, and in severe cases, hyaluronic injections.

Stage 4 – Severe

This is the most severe stage of OA, which means it is also the most painful. At this point, the cartilage is almost completely gone, leading to an inflammatory response from the joint. The bone spurs that developed in the earlier stages have now multiplied, often causing excruciating pain. There are various treatment options that generally include bone realignment surgery and knee/hip replacement.

What are the different types of osteoarthritis?

There are actually two types of osteoarthritis (OA): primary and secondary. These two forms of OA have the same symptoms, but different causes. Both primary and secondary OA involve the breakdown of cartilage in joints, which causes bones to rub together. Sometimes bones grow abnormal spurs in response to cartilage breakdown. This can make joints swollen, painful and stiff.

Primary osteoarthritis: Wear and tear on joints as people age cause primary OA. Therefore it starts showing up in people between the ages of 55 and 60. Theoretically, everyone experiences cartilage breakdown as they get older, but some cases are more severe than others.

Secondary osteoarthritis: Secondary OA involves a specific trigger that exacerbates cartilage breakdown. Here are some of the most common triggers for secondary OA:

• Injury: Bone fractures increase a person’s chance of developing OA and can bring about the disease earlier.
• Obesity: According to the Arthritis Foundation, every pound of extra body weight places three pounds of pressure on the knees and six pounds on the hips. The weight speeds up the wear and tear of joint cartilage.
• Inactivity: Inactivity can cause obesity and weaken the muscles. Weak muscles mean poorly aligned joints and greater risk for OA.
• Genetics: Researchers have noticed that OA runs in families, so certain genes could also put you at risk.
• Inflammation: Diseases that cause inflammation can also affect cartilage. One such disease is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA is primarly not associated with inflammation.

 

Does inflammation play a role in osteoarthritis?

Inflammation is commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other types of inflammatory arthritis. On the other hand, osteoarthritis or better osteoarthrosis (OA) is usually explained as "wear-and-tear" arthritis, meaning that it is related to aging and changes in the cartilage. But is it also tied to inflammation?

There has been an evolution of thought about whether or not inflammation is what causes osteoarthrosis, so much so that it is now thought to be an inflammatory disease. Immune activation is seen in the joints following the cartilage damage that is the hallmark of osteoarthritis, with inflammation of the joint lining, synovitis then developing.

Osteoarthrosis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is caused by the breakdown of articular cartilage – the type of cartilage that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Over time, most older adults will develop some form of painful osteoarthritis in a joint or in more than one joint, such as the knees, hips, spine, or hand. While pain is common in OA, obvious inflammation – redness and swelling – is usually considered a primary symptom with other types of arthritis.

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What kind of physical activity is recommennded in AO?

Some people with joint disease are concerned about exercise and believe it may worsen their joint or musculoskeletal condition.

We asked a consultant rheumatologist to answer the most frequently asked questions about exercise. He acknowledged that there are many reasons why some people with joint disease may avoid exercise, but he believes the most important thing you can do is find an exercise that works for you, listen to your body, and be gentle with yourself.

I don't know how to take the first step to start being active? Please help.

Being active is one of the best things you can do to help manage arthritis symptoms.

Look for something you enjoy or exercises you have used in the past that you would like to return to. Consider whether you prefer to exercise alone or with others. Do you want to exercise at home or do you prefer to go out? Have you been looking for something slow and easy like pilates or yoga, or activities with music and dance like zumba?

If you haven't exercised in a while, start slow and build up. If you know that certain movements hurt, such as kneeling on the floor. Look for alternatives such as swimming, or talk to the instructor if you're teaching a class - he or she may be able to suggest different moves for you. Exercise doesn't always make everything better. But it will make you stronger and help you do more of the things you enjoy. You can surprise yourself and find a new hobby or make new friends.

How do I know if the pain I feel while exercising is good or bad pain?

Exercise should be started slowly and carefully. And as you get stronger with regular exercise, your body will be able to endure more. The most important thing is to listen to your body and learn what is right for you.

If you experience acute pain while exercising, take a break or stop what you're doing. If the pain persists, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or physiotherapist.

But not all pain is bad. If you strain your body while exercising, it's normal to feel tired and some discomfort the next day. Even athletes can feel sore the day after training! But if you're exhausted the next day, you're probably exercising too much and too intensely. So the next time you exercise, take it easy - maybe a shorter session and less intense.

What exercises to avoid with OA?

With osteoarthritis, it is best to avoid activities that can stress your joints to minimize further joint inflammation and pain. High-impact activities that can worsen symptoms of osteoarthritis in your hips or knees include:

• Running
• Jumping
• Deep squatting and bending
• Stair climbing
• Hiking
• Prolonged standing