Peripheral Clocks Rules Arthritis In Hands

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Peripheral Clocks Rules Arthritis In Hands:

Inflammatory Lupus can affect the hands, but the most

likely the Arthritis in your hands is either

OsteoArthritis (OA) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

OsteoArthritis, a leading cause of disability among the

elderly, occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints

breaks down, leading to pain and swelling. According to

research, Arthritis of the hands can cause early morning

fluctuation in pain, stiffness and dexterity problems,

which varies over the course of the day, and is less

in the afternoon around 4 PM. Planning medications and

daily activities around this time, may help.

These findings indicate that pain from Arthritis, like

many other body systems, runs on a " clock. " The body's

Internal 24-hour Clock, or Circadian Rhythm, controls

when we sleep and wake, and plays a role in other

biological processes as well, such as hormone production

and blood pressure. The main Circadian Clock is in the

brain, but there are so-called Peripheral Clocks

throughout the body, including the skin.

Previous research shows that pain, stiffness and dexterity

shows a 24-hour cycle in many patients with OsteoArthritis

in their knees, and in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

RA occurs when the immune system, for unknown reasons,

mistakenly attacks the joints, leading to inflammation,

swelling and pain.

Arthritis Hand Pain Disability Has Daily Cycle: Study

http://www.realage.com/HB25/HB25.asp?wci==HArticle & cid=858 & sid=28

Arthritis Pain Follows Daily Cycle

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/56/65750.htm

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