Musculoskeletal Disorders

Question 1

What is the link between musculoskeletal pain and vitamin D?

Answer 1

more muscle pain is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency

Question 2

Name 5 herbs that control pain.

Answer 2

Tumeric, Frankincense, white willow, ginger and Chili

Question 3

What is systemic enzyme therapy?

Answer 3

high doses of proteolytic enzymes on an empty stomach as these can break down proteins in the body causing inflammation and scar tissue.

Question 4

Explain how cetylated fatty acids help with the musculoskeletal system.

Answer 4

the reduce inflammation by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, reduce production of inflammatory immune factors, joint lubrication, alter cellular membranes protecting from inflammation

Question 5

What is arthritis?

Answer 5

inflammation of joints due to infections, metabolic and constitutional causes

Question 6

What is osteoarthritis?

Answer 6

degenerative wear and tear arthritis of articular cartilage affecting weight bearing joints resulting in pain, deformity and limitation of joint movement.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of OA?

Answer 7

onset is gradual, pain increasing, in older people; restricted movements and joint deformed; no systemic symptoms

Question 8

What are the causes of OA?

Answer 8

wear and tear, congenital ill-development, trauma, previous inflammatory joint disease

Question 9

Explain how OA develops.

Answer 9

1) swelling of cartilage because of increased synthesis of proteoglycans
2) over time the proteoglycans level decreases and cartilage is soft and loses elasticity
3) flaking and fibrillations develop on joint articular cartilage
4) loss of cartilage in joint space
5) Erosion of damaged cartilage in OA joint progresses until underlying bone is exposed
6) Eburnation - subchondral bone becomes thick and dense at areas of pressure
7) irregular growth of new bone worsens pain and erosion

Question 10

What are 5 OA risk factors?

Answer 10

increasing age, obesity, diabetes, trauma to joint, infection, osteoporosis

Question 11

How is OA diagnosed?

Answer 11

Radiography will show asymmetric joint space narrowing, sclerosis and cyst formation.

Question 12

What are the orthodox treatment for OA?

Answer 12

NSAID for pain relief, mild narcotic analgesics for pain relief, glucocorticosteroids for controlling inflammatory response, hyaluronic acid - local anaesthesia; surgery; stem cell treatment

Question 13

How do hormones initiate or accelerate OA?

Answer 13

oestrogen worsens OA; tamoxifen improves OA by decreasing erosive lesions; Insulin stimulates chondrocytes to increase synthesis and assembly of proteoglycans; thyroid - increases risk of OA with hypothyroidism

Question 14

What is the function of glucoamine?

Answer 14

building block of proteoglycans and glycoaminoglcans (GAGs) like chrondroitin; stimulates chrondrocytes to synthesis proteoglycans and collagen; inhibits enzymes collagenase and phospholipase

Question 15

What are proteoglycans?

Answer 15

cartilage is made of collagen, proteoglycan and water

Question 16

What are results of glucosamine sulphate?

Answer 16

improved pain and function, usually takes 1-8 weeks to appear

Question 17

What is the function of chrondroitin sulphate?

Answer 17

competitively inhibit many of the degradative enzymes that break down the cartilage matrix and synovial fluid and it increases the amount of hyaluronic acid in joints which keeps joints libricated

Question 18

What is MSM for and how does it improve OA?

Answer 18

source of sulphur for methionine and cysteine, and it significantly decreased pain and improved function

Question 19

How does sAMe help OA?

Answer 19

S-adenoosyl methionine (sAMe) showed a reduction in pain, it has a slower onset of action but is as effective as celebrix

Question 20

What vitamins help OA?

Answer 20

vitamin E, C, and D

Question 21

What is RA?

Answer 21

Autoimmune inflammation of synovium affect all organs except brain

Question 22

What are symptoms of RA?

Answer 22

symmetrical/bilateral arthritis affecting small joints, gradually spreads, morning stiffness, deformity of joints, genial malaise

Question 23

What is the genetic risk factor for RA?

Answer 23

HLA-DR4

Question 24

What are some triggers for RA?

Answer 24

cigarette smoking, bacterial/viral infections, SIBO, antigenic food, periodontal disease

Question 25

What is chronically low in RA?

Answer 25

DHEA

Question 26

What does DHEA do?

Answer 26

inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines production to inhibit Nf-KB activation

Question 27

How is RA diagnosed?

Answer 27

morning stiffness lasting one hour before improvement, swelling and joint effusion in at least 3 different joints, rheumatoid nodules, typical changes seen in x-rays, serology (anaemia, RF, ANA, CCP)

Question 28

Whats the orthodox treatment for RA?

Answer 28

corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory, immuno suppressive), NSAIDS (pain relief, anti-inflammatory), DMARDs - (disease modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs)

Question 29

What nutritional therapy actions are needs for RA?

Answer 29

reduce gut permeability, circulating immune complexes, control inflammation, promote joint regeneration

Question 30

What to do about the diet for RA?

Answer 30

fasting followed by vegetarian diet; gluten-free vegan diet; increase whole foods, vegetable, fibre, decrease sugar, red meat, refined CHO, increase antioxidant nutrients; increase EPA, decrease saturate fatty acids, increase DHGLA

Question 31

What is EPA for in RA?

Answer 31

EPA reduces inflammatory compounds secreted by WBCs use cold water fish, flaxseed oil

Question 32

What deficiency is common in RA?

Answer 32

zinc deficiency

Question 33

What other supplements maybe helpful for RA?

Answer 33

vit C, retinol (low antioxidant), ALA, betaine hydrochloride (low stomach acid), glutamine (address gut membrane permeability)

Question 34

What is gout?

Answer 34

uric acid metabolisms is dysfunctional so it deposits in the soft tissue such as joints, tendons, kidney leading to inflammation