Osteoarthritis and Glucosamine/Chondroitin

     Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes various therapies for osteoarthritis including yoga, tai chi, and supplements like glucosamine/chondroitin.  Although glucosamine/chondroitin has been sold for more than forty years, there is still controversy surrounding its use. Glucosamine sulfate are substances found in cartilage. A complex carbohydrate, chondroitin improves the ability of cartilage to reserve water.  Many research studies have examined the use of glucosamine/chondroitin as a treatment for osteoarthritis symptoms.  These studies have reported  mixed results (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011).

     Glucosamine/chondroitin has been found to decrease edema and pain of osteoarthritis.  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has reported that use of these supplements may help reduce cartilage damage.  However, AAOS also describes many side-effects from these supplements including diarrhea, constipation and bloating.  It has been found to effect blood sugar levels and can affect those patients with shellfish allergies (several varieties of glucosamine/chondroitin are made from lobster and crab skeletons) (The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2009).

     Because the supplements are not tested by the Food and Drug Administration there is no way patients can be certain what is actually being purchased and added to their pharmaceutical regimen.  Some brands have fillers of sodium and potassium. (Consumerlab.com, 2012).

     Today, patients are cautioned in the use of dietary supplements like glucosamine /chondroitin.  Patients are encouraged to continue their traditional medication and discuss the addition of this supplement with their doctors.

 

 

References

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate (2009). Retrieved November, 29, 2012 from    

      http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00189

Product Review: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM Supplements for Joint Health (2012).

     Retrieved November, 29, 2012 from   

https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Review_Glucosamine_Chondroitin_MSM_Supplements/jointsupplements/

Glucosamine and Chondroitin (2012). Retrieved November, 29, 2012 from

     http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chondroitin

Kay Brown - Strategies Presentation

Self-reflections on Presentation

Can you say “ Uhm” ?  After viewing my presentation video, I realize I really need to work on using too many  “Uhms”.  I also did not have an idea of how much I wave my hands in the air when I talk!

I was surprised at how nervous I felt when it finally got to my turn to present.  I felt like I had practiced the night before, but facing the audience, it was hard to remember every point I wanted to make.  I did think the activity went as I had hoped with each object being introduced.  In a presentation to a “real” audience, I would take the time to check that each participant had written something on their sticky note. 

I thought the Power point presentation was appropriate for my target audience. I changed the font as suggested in our reading to make it easier to read.  I tried to use pictures to explain the information and to use words that were not too hard to understand.

Self-management was an important point I wanted to make.  I tried to impress upon the audience that every patient should participate in their own care and have an active voice in decisions that are made by their medical team.

Putting this plan together helped me consider what needs to be included when gearing information to our patients. I feel like I learned a lot in preparing the lesson plan and this presentation.  I never like seeing myself in videos but this experience really pointed out significant things I need to work on in similar presentations.  

Thanks, Kay

 

Check out this website for arthritis education and information

Arthritis

  The Arthritis Foundation has a great website that offers patients up-to-date information concerning varied arthritis diagnoses. The site, www.arthritis.org, is easy to follow and the information is reliable.  Similar to the Osteoarthritis lesson plan posted earlier this week, the Arthritis Foundation offers their own self-management information sheet at  http://www.arthritis.org/how-to-care-for-yourself.php. Their self-management information sheet includes the following points:

·         Get an accurate diagnosis, including lab work

 

“What is that doctor looking for anyway?”

     

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), tests for Sjogren’s syndrome, polymyositis,

       rheumatoid arthritis

      

Rheumatoid Factor (RF), tests for Rheumatoid arthritis

     

Uric Acid, tests for gout

 

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, (ESR) or sed rate, tests for inflammation

 

Lyme serology, Lyme disease

 

Skin biopsy, lupus, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis

 

Muscle biopsy, polymyositis, vasculitis

 

·      Early diagnosis, early treatment, There is a window of opportunity (two year after symptom onset).

·         Protect your joints, start a regular exercise program

·         Vitamin C, antioxidants, folic acid can relieve side-effects of some medications

 

•  Take a relaxation break

·         Weight loss, more weight means more stress on your joints

·         Stop smoking, smoking interferes with the healing process

·         Spiritual belief and prayer, research has shown this works to help patients feel better

 

•    Be informed about current medication

 

 Check out this great MSN video - New Drug for Arthritis Relief

    

Reference

 Arthritis Foundation (n.d.). How to Care for Yourself. Retrieved from  

     http://www.arthritis.org/how-to- care-for-yourself.php.

NBC News (2012). New Drug for Arthritis Relief. Retrieved from  

     http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/new-drug-for-arthritis-relief/1d2udd484.