Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative inflammatory disease affecting the connective tissue around the joints.
Cortisol, one of the primary hormones produced by the adrenal glands, is necessary for controlling inflammatory processes in the body.
When adrenal function is low, as it is in certain stages of Adrenal Fatigue, cortisol levels can fall too low to effectively keep these inflammatory processes in check. There is also a tendency to experience more arthritic pain when the adrenals are fatigued.
This negative relationship between RA and Adrenal Fatigue is made worse by the fact that RA is often treated with corticosteroids (synthetic cortisol). Corticosteroids tend to shut down adrenal function and severely suppress overall immune function. As a result the adrenals are unable to produce enough natural cortisol to meet the body's stress demands at the same time as the person is more susceptible to infection because of reduced immunity. This can lead to disaster.
To effectively help people with RA limit the progress of their disease, it is necessary to address the reasons for their Adrenal Fatigue and to improve adrenal function rather than diminish it.
Unfortunately it is difficult to retain adrenal function while strong corticosteroids are being taken. However because it takes a long time for adrenal function to return to normal after coming off these drugs, it requires patience and the careful guidance of a skilled physician experienced in this process and in rebuilding adrenal function.
It should never be attempted without proper professional help. In the process of recovery, the aware physician often combines a dietary supplement program for adrenal recovery and small doses of hydrocortisone (natural cortisol) simultaneously. This encourages the adrenals to rebuild while resting.
Then the hydrocortisone dose is slowly decreased allowing the adrenal glands to gradually take on more of the load. At the same time the physician should also investigate the possibility of the presence of infectious agents as several microorganisms have been implicated in causing or exacerbating RA, especially pathogenic bacteria from the intestines.
Dr. Wilson's audio cassette health tape, Diagnosis and Treatment of Intestinal Pathogens, provides helpful information on getting rid such problems and creating a healthy intestinal environment.