Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland is a country of northwestern Europe, comprising the island of Iceland and its outlying islets in the North Atlantic Ocean between the rest of Europe and Greenland. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík.
Due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is volcanically and geologically active on a large scale; this identifies the landscape in various ways. The interior mainly consists of a plateau characterized by sand fields, mountains and glaciers, while many big glacial rivers stream to the sea through the lowlands. Due to the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a temperate climate relative to its latitude, which provides a habitable environment and nature.
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of about 267,800. The city is a seaport located on Israel’s Mediterranean coastline in the Haifa Bay, about 90km north of Tel Aviv, and is one of the country’s major industrial centers.
Crimea or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is an autonomous republic of Ukraine on the northern coast of the Black Sea occupying a peninsula of the same name.
The territory of Crimea was conquered and controlled many times through its history: from Cimmerians to Greeks, Iranians, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Khazars, the state of Kievan Rus’, Byzantine Greeks, Kipchaks, and the Mongols in its early history, to the Crimean Khanate and Ottoman Empire in the 15th–8th centuries, the Russian Empire in the 18th–20th centuries, to Nazi Germans in World War II and now to the newly independent Ukrainian state.
The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as appointed on 28 June 2007. Designed by Jørn Utzon, a Danish architect, the Sydney Opera House is one of the most distinctive and famous 20th century buildings, and one of the most famous performing arts venues in the world. Situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, with parkland to its south and close to the equally famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, the building and its surroundings form an iconic Australian image.
Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated on the River Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region. Paris has an estimated population of 2,153,600 within city limit (2005 est.). The Paris urban area has a population of 9.93 million and a commuter belt around the same completes the Paris “aire urbaine” that, with its population of 12 million, is one of the most populated areas of its kind in Europe. It is also regarded as one of the major global cities, along with London, New York and Tokyo.
The main common characteristics of the rheumatic conditions are represented by inflammations, followed by a disability of one of the body’s supporting structures. The most affected by rheumatic diseases are the articulations, ligaments, bones, tendons and muscles that become painful, swollen and rigid. Some of the 100 types of rheumatic disorders may affect the other organs.
Some people generically call “arthritis” any kind of rheumatic problem. But, unlike the other conditions, arthritis only attacks the articulations. There are some rheumatic diseases that are considered disorders of connective tissues, while others are seen as auto immune.
Some rheumatic diseases
Rheumatic arthritis is a disease in which the synovium is swollen and very painful. The articulations hurt, become rigid and are severely damaged or taken out of use. The articulations of the hand of the feet are the most affected. Rheumatic arthritis is a symmetrical disease, which affects 1% of the population, only in the U.S.
Juvenile rheumatic arthritis is the most frequent arthritis that affects children. Most of the symptoms are common to those of the adults, but there are others to be added such as rashes and fever
Osteoarthritis affects the cartilages and makes them wear away. It causes pain of the articulations, rigidity, and in case it touches the spine, disables it ,the knees and hips, too. It is the most frequent form of arthritis and it affects over 21 millions of Americans
Systematic lupus erythematosus has a auto immune character. The healthy cells and tissues are damaged by the organism’s own means of protecting itself against infections. The inflammation produced by this disease attacks the skin, the articulations, the kidneys, the brain, the blood vessels, the heart and the lungs.
Spondyloarthopathies that mostly attack the spine have, as any common form of ankylosing spondylitis. The spine is followed by the shoulders, hips and knees, then the inflammation extends over the tendons and ligaments, which become painful and rigid. It mostly affects young people. Other example of spondyloarthopathy is Reiter’s syndrome, an infection of the bowel, the lower urinary tract and causes skin rashes, eye problems and mouth sores.
Fibromylagia has a chronic character and gives the articulations and the tissues that determine the bones to move, pain, rigidity, and localized sensitivity of the muscles and tendons. It especially affects the spine, shoulders, hips and neck and causes the patient insomnia and tiredness.
Scleroderma, or systematic sclerosis affects the skin, articulations and blood vessels, and, sometimes, internal organs. It is caused by an over increased quantity of collagen inside the body.
Polymylagia rheumatica is very painful and causes rigidity of the shoulders, hips, neck and lower back, especially in the morning. It affects tendons, muscles, ligaments and everything that surrounds the articulations. In time, it may degenerate into giant cell arthritis, a disorder that affects the arteries and generates weight loss, fever, swelling and weakness.
Gout is a type of arthritis generated by the deposits of uric acid crystals in the articulations. Has as main symptoms inflammation, swelling, and almost unbearable pain
Psoriatic arthritis affects only people with psoriasis. It mostly affects the fingers and toes’ articulations and it modifies the aspect of the nails. In case it touches the spine, back pain is added to the symptoms
Infectious arthritis is caused by viruses or bacteria. Two examples are gonococcal arthritis and parvovirus arthritis. The symptoms of arthritis often appear in Lyme disease. This disease is generated by bacterial infection that occurs after the bite of some ticks.
An early diagnosis is vital to prevent a serious damage
Tendinitis is, as the name says, a disorder of the tendons. They become inflamed, painful and extremely sensitive and produce restriction of movement
Bursitis is produced by the swelling of the bursae, it generates sensitivity and pain and limits the movements of the close articulations
Polymyositis weakens and inflames the muscle. It may cause disability, in case it affects the entire body.
By: Ethan Armitage
Learn about Arthritis symptoms Arthritis treatment Psoriatic arthritis
If you’re one of the 42 million people diagnosed with some form of arthritis, you know that arthritis pain can make it difficult to fall asleep and cause you to awaken during the night. Insufficient rest can then make your pain harder to manage during the day, and quality sleep even harder to come by at night.
This vicious cycle is far too common among those who suffer from arthritis, an umbrella term used for a group of more than 100 medical conditions. The common thread among these conditions is that they all affect the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints. A recent Center for Disease Control study finds that arthritis is the most prevalent chronic condition and the most reported cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis-related joint problems can include pain, stiffness and inflammation. Arthritis also is a common form of back pain.
While dealing with the pain can be one of the hardest parts of having arthritis, the pain is your body’s way of telling you that you need to rest. Sleep is necessary to restore your energy so that you can better manage pain; it also rests your joints to reduce pain and swelling, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
“Good quality sleep can be an important part of an arthritis pain management plan,” says Pete Bils, senior director of sleep innovation and chair of the Sleep Advisory Board for Select Comfort. “During deep, slow wave sleep, human growth hormone reaches a peak level to perform critical tasks necessary for bodily restoration.” In support of the Arthritis Foundation’s proclaiming May as National Arthritis Month, Bils offers the following timely sleep tips for arthritis sufferers:
Choose a mattress that alleviates pressure points on your body
“Beds that are too firm do not support properly and create uncomfortable pressure points — a discomfort that causes excessive tossing and turning, activities that are counterproductive to arthritis pain relief and recuperation,” Bils says. “Consider switching to an adjustable firmness mattress to minimize pressure points that might be aggravating your pain.”
One mattress to consider is the Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort which has dual air chambers that allow each side of the bed to be independently adjusted so each sleep partner can choose his or her ideal level of comfort, firmness and support — even if one sleeper has arthritis pain and the other does not. Unlike innerspring mattresses, the Sleep Number bed cradles the body and evenly distributes weight to minimize painful pressure points and reduce body pain and stiffness.
Choose pillows for optimal spinal and neck alignment
If you suffer from arthritis back pain, consider replacing your pillow. Choose a pillow that naturally places your head, neck and shoulders in a straight spine and head position (closely matching a proper standing/sitting posture).
Take a warm bath
A soothing soak before bed can relieve muscle tension, ease aching joints and help you get a good night’s sleep.
Clear your head before bed
Find ways to decrease other stresses in your life that could be aggravating your sleeplessness. Read for pleasure instead of trying to absorb work-related material. Before tucking yourself in for the night, make a list of all the things you need to do the next day to avoid having a last minute thought disturb your slumber.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations
Keep up with arthritis exercises and pain medications as recommended by your doctor. If poor sleep is a continual problem, seek your doctor’s advice.
By: Morgan Evans
To learn more about sleep and arthritis, the Sleep Number bed or to find a retailer near you, log on to or call (800) 535-2337. – ARA
In rheumatology, scientists and doctors work hard to develop new treatments, new facts and even to learn why people suffer from conditions such as arthritis. One thing that they’ve uncovered is that there are a host of different types of arthritis today. If you are suffering from arthritis, chances are you have a specific condition that leads to the type of arthritis that you have. In rheumatology, doctors are working to help cure all forms, but it is important for you, as a patient, to be able to understand what makes your type of arthritis unique in comparison to the others out there.
The most common type of arthritis is that of osteoarthritis. Others include psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter’s Syndrome, Gout and Pseudogout. To understand the differences, consider this information about each of these conditions.
Psoriatic arthritis: If you have psoriasis, then you are more prone to developing this form of arthritis, which is a condition that includes many of the same symptoms of other types. Some that experience this form of arthritis will have more spinal injury than other forms of arthritis. Ultimately, though, this type of arthritis is less troublesome to the patient and less debilitating to them.
Rheumatoid arthritis: The one key element that distinguishes rheumatoid arthritis to other forms of arthritis is that usually, joints from both sides of the body are attacked and are facing pain. Swelling, pain, redness and warmth are symptoms.
Osteoarthritis: This is the most common form and it is distinguished by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Any joint in your body can be affected by this condition, but the common areas including your hips, knees and spine.
Reiter’s Syndrome: Those that have this type of arthritis have a unique condition in which not only can the joints in the body be attacked, but so can other parts of the body including the eyes, the skin and the urethra.
Pseudogout: The most common places to see this type of condition is that of the knee or the wrist, but it can also attack the hips, shoulders, knuckles, and joints in your feet. What makes it unique is that it will attack just one joint at a time, mostly. The problem here is an abnormal calcium pyrophosphate development.
Gout: While you may not realize it, gout is a form of arthritis. In this form, you will have severe and often sudden attacks of pain in some of your joints. Only one joint is affected at a time, usually, but the symptoms can come and go.
Each of these conditions are something that rheumatology wants to know more about. Understanding what is happening and why it is happening is essential to getting the patient the help they need. Since arthritis does effect millions of people every year and it is a debilitating condition, it is essential for doctors and scientists to work to develop alternative treatments and cures for these conditions. Each form of arthritis is unique, making their job that much more difficult.
By: Greg Marsh -
For important information from Greg about rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, click the link.
Should the person experience some muscle pain which lasts more than 2 or 3 days, there is a strong chance that one has arthritis.
Arthritis is a common disease that affects millions of people worldwide. This can be felt in the person’s joints, skin and organs inside the body. Should the person feel anything wrong, it is advisable to go straight to the doctor.
Doctors have discovered that there are over 100 types of arthritis. Given the number, the doctor will not be able to know which one is affecting the person without an examination.
There are 2 common forms of arthritis. The first is rheumatoid arthritis which is considered a chronic disease. There is inflammation in the joints caused by cartilage damage. Anyone who has this will suffer long term joint damage that will lead to chronic pain and disability. Pain is usually felt when waking up in the morning and will gradually disappear during the day.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a problem that will not go away. This happens in three stages. The first is swelling. The second is the rapid division and growth of cells. The third is when these cells release enzymes that will eat the bone causing the joint to lose shape until the person will not be able to move it anymore.
Since this is systemic disease, it can spread and affect other organs in the body. The best way to prevent is from happening is detecting it early to prevent the person from being disabled.
This can be treated with proper medication and therapy. There many drugs available that the patient can use. Some drugs offer pain relief to reduce the inflammation. Others can just do one function.
The second is called osteoarthritis. This happens more often than rheumatoid arthritis but unlike the first, there is no inflammation present. The cartilage in the joint is damaged and will eventually degenerate. Pain will slightly be felt when the person gets up but this will hurt later on during the day.
Osteoarthritis can either be primary or secondary. When it is primary, it is often associated with age. It is similar to a car where the parts have to be replaced due to wear and tear. Doctors consider this to be normal as people grow older.
The secondary type is often associated with something else that has caused this to happen. Some of these factors are an injury that took place, heredity, obesity and bone density.
Osteoarthritis can be treated with medication, exercise, weight control, joint protection, physical and occupational therapy. This is done to relieve the pain and slow the progression of the disease.
Both of these are caused by different things. The common thing between these 2 types is that joint pain can happen anywhere in the body.
Given the many medications available to treat this disease, the patient has to be aware of the side effects of each before choosing which one to use. The doctor should explain these to the person in order to make the right decision.
Arthritis and it’s different forms will not go away. Since this is an insurable disease, the best thing that the doctor and others can do until a cure if found is to help the patient ease the pain the slow the growth of the disease.
By: Robert Thatcher
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides arthritis resources on
It refers to inflammation of joints. It is one of a number of diseases commonly called rheumatism. Arthritis arises from many causes and it is treated in many different ways.
Arthritis has been classified as follows
Arthritis caused by infection.
Arthritis resulting from rheumatic fever.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Degenerative arthritis.
Arthritis due to joint injuries.
Arthritis caused by gout.
Arthritis originating from the nervous system. Rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis caused by rheumatic fever are classified as collagen disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis are the two most common types.
Millions of men and women are afflicted with them. But good medical treatment begun early and continued faithfully can often do much to alleviate the pain, crippling and disability.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It is a disease not of the joints but of the whole body, i . e. the connective tissues. This tissue reacts sensitively to substances in the body. Stress and worry make it worse. During rainy season and winter months, pains in the joints become most severe.
Rheumatoid arthritis may appear suddenly or gradually. Fatigue, loss of weight, and poor weight can be early signs. Sometimes it may cause an acute fever and pain, swelling and disability in many joints. Any joint can be involved including those of the spine, but the hands and feet are most commonly affected. There may be vague or fleeting pains in early stages; it may rise in the morning and at the end of the day.
Women appear to be afflicated more than men. Children too can be afflicted. Rheumatoid arthritis usually strikes at early ages unlike other types of arthritis. It appears during winter months. Americans are chronic sufferers from this disease.
Fresh raw fruit and vegetable juices offer an excellent treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed that garlic, musumbi, orange, carrot and beet juice consumed in plenty may give early cure.
Signs and symptoms of Arthritis
Severe pain in the affected joints.
Muscles, ligaments and cartilage become inflamed.
Movement of the joint becomes extremely painful, especially in cold, windy and damp weather.
Home Remedies for Arthritis
Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container accumulates traces of copper, which is said to strengthen the muscular system. A copper ring or bracelet is worn for the same reason.
Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis.
Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure.
Lime has also been found beneficial as a home remedy for arthritis. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of uric acid which is the primary cause of some types of arthritis. The juice of one lime, diluted with water, may be taken once a day, preferably first thing in the morning.
Exercise the afflicted joints in tub full of hot water.
By: Alien
Alien is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. He is a contributing editor to natural remedies, a site dedicated to the home remedies for common ailments. Check out this site for more information on home remedies for arthritis