Sulphur bath and mud pack treatment for rheumatoid arthritis at the Dead Sea area
Article Abstract:
The role of balneotherapy, or the use of baths in disease treatment, in treating rheumatic diseases remains unclear. The effectiveness of sulphur baths and mud pack treatments was evaluated in 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disorder characterized by inflammation of the joints, swelling, stiffness, overgrowth of cartilage, and pain. The patients were treated for two weeks at a spa hotel in a resort area of Israel on the Dead Sea that is known for its hot thermomineral springs and large natural concentration of mud. Patients were divided into groups of 10. Group I was treated with daily mud packs, group II with daily hot sulphur baths, group III received both hot sulphur baths and mud packs, and group IV received neither of these treatments. The patients were evaluated by a rheumatologist, a specialist in rheumatic diseases. Clinical symptoms, such as morning stiffness, joint swelling, hand grip, activities of daily living, patient assessment of disease severity, and number of affected joints, improved in patients treated with hot sulphur baths and/or mud packs. However, there was no improvement in laboratory variables, such as erythrocyte, or red blood cell, sedimentation rate, or levels of rheumatoid factors and serum amyloid A, factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis. With the exception of three mild cases of thermal reaction, there were no side effects from treatment with hot sulphur baths and mud packs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1990
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Interleukin 10 treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
Article Abstract:
A synthetic version of interleukin-10 is being investigated as a possible treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation in the joints, and interleukin-10 inhibits inflammation. Interleukin-10 is a protein produced by the immune system.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1999
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Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with interleukin 1 receptor antagonist
Article Abstract:
Blocking the activity of interleukin-1 appears to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. One way this can be done is by giving patients therapeutic amounts of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra), which occurs naturally in the body.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1999
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