Collagen and Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term describing inflammation in joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is also called degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and most commonly occurs in the hips, knees and spine. It can dramatically affect the finger joints and the joints of the toes [1]. With twelve million people suffering from arthritis in the UK, there is an arthritis epidemic. John Klippel, Medical Director of the arthritis foundation, flatly stated. This should be a wakeup call. We've always suspected the problem was greater than we had known about.
Unfortunately, the common methods of treatment won't change the progression of osteoarthritis. However, two nutritional supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin have been observed to relieve pain and to slow the breakdown of cartilage, which in itself is a significant part of osteoarthritis. What is particularly interesting is that glucosamine and chondroitins (both sulphates) are components of normal cartilage. Some researchers have successfully demonstrated that the two substances appear to stimulate new collagen production. The only thing better would be to take a bio-available collagen supplement directly.
The Pain of Arthritic Hands
The blood plasma of patients with collagen disease shows significant level of auto-antibodies (these are antibodies that attack the body's own proteins or cells). This antigen-antibody reaction leads to inflammation of many of the body's vital tissues. The most common collagen diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, polyarteritis nodosa and scleroderma.
Most of the collagen diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever, are characterized by widespread joint pain. Rheumatic fever may also result in permanent heart damage, a condition more prominent in children than adults. Lupus erythematosus is an auto-kidneys, skin, and membranes lining body cavities condition. Dermatomyositis is most commonly seen as a rash that is accompanied by muscular pain. In polyarteritis nodosa the walls of arteries are damages, and in scleroderma, thick layers of collagen fibres are deposited. Both diseases result in impaired organ function.
Some collagen diseases have no satisfactory treatment, but most can be treated medically. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is commonly treated with aspirin-like compounds, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, used separately or in combination with other [2]. Some collagen diseases, like rheumatoid fever, are treated by antibiotics whereas Lupus or polyarteritis nodosa is help significantly by corticosteroids.
Cartilage
Cartilage is a rather firm rubber material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints. The primary function of cartilage is to reduce joint friction and, since cartilage can change shape when compressed, serve as a shock absorber for the bones.
Cartilage can change shape because it is composed of more than seventy percent water, which can be redistributed with compression or movement. Since cartilage does not contain nerves, you never feel pain when these changes occur. When collagen disease strikes as we age, this shock absorbing quality is reduced. That is why activities like running and jumping feel less comfortable as we age than when we were younger.
Collagen is a key component of cartilage, providing it with its strength. When the body's collagen production is reduced, cartilage production is affected and so are all the body systems that contain cartilage.
Bursitis, Tendonitis and Tendinosis
Bursitis, tendonitis and tendinosis are three of the more common collagen diseases affecting us as we age, causing us to look and feel older. Bursitis is caused arthritis inflammation or by infection [3]. The joint areas most commonly affected are the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, back and ankle. Individuals with bursitis will have pain, tenderness and stiffness near the affected area [4]. As a result, local muscle weakness frequently develops as a result of avoiding painful joint movements, such as those caused by climbing stairs.
Tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendons, has mostly been considered the cause of tendon pain and as associated loss of strength and movement. More recently, researchers discovered that most people diagnosed with this disease have no signs of tendon inflammation. Consequently, medical sciences have come to see tendonitis more properly classified as tendinosis. Today, the terms are used interchangeably.
Tendinosis/tendonitis is caused by a breakdown of the collagen-composed tendon tissue. Collagen contributes to the robe-like structure of a tendon and to its strength. When collagen breaks down, small tears appear in the tendon, weakening it and causing pain. This collagen disease can affect children and young adults just as those who are aging. It is especially wearing on those who perform repetitious tasks in their jobs, sports, or daily activities. Carpet layers suffer this affliction in their knees, writers in their wrists and tennis players in their elbows.
Bursitis and tendinosis/tendonitis can be successfully treated by resting the painful areas, applying ice or taking pain relievers. This gives the body time to repair and reproduce the cartilage damage… provided the body is still producing the necessary amounts of collagen.
References
[1] Michael W. Smith, Understanding Arthritis, Treatment and Detection, June, 2002
[2] Tuan, T.-L., Song, A.K., Chang, S., Younai, S., and Nimni , M.E. In vitro fibroplasia; Matric contraction, cell growth and collagen production of fibroblasts cultured in fibrin gels. Experimental Cell Research, 223:127-134; 1996.
[3] Li S, Fan Y-S, Chow LH, Van Den Diepstraten C, van der Veer E, Sims S, Pickering JG(2001) Innate diversity if adult human arterial smooth muscle cell; cloning of distinct subtypes from the internal thoracic artery. Circulating Research, 89;517-525.
[4] Ibid