Arthritis
More than 100 disease fall under the heading of arthritis . the symptoms they have in common are joint stiffness and pain, which in some cases can severely limit movement. Arthritis is a chronic condition affecting more than 3 million Australians and New Zealanders.. If you have arthritis , you may be able to relieve your symptoms by using natural methods.
Did you know?
For centuries many people with arthritis have worn copper bracelets to ward of joint pain. Unfortunately , there is no scientific proof that this works.
Pain in joint may be caused by on the joints or a condition , such as rheumatoid arthritis, food sensitivity or infection . natural remedies can be used for pain that has not been directly caused by an injury . the main forms of arthritis are described in the box below.
Prevention
Osteoarthritis is mainly associated with damaged cartilage in the joints from the wear and tear of ageing , but it may have a genetic component. To reduce your likelihood of suffering from joint damage, additional strain on the joints . eat a healthy diet containing plenty of fruits and vegetables.this will provide the nutrients your body needs to repair damaged cartilage.
To help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, try to discover and avoid any trigger factors. Possibilities include stress and certain foods, such as (in order of likelihood ) wheat and other cereal grains , red meat, sugar , animal fats , salt, coffe, dairy foods and potatoes. Tomatoes , potatoes , capsicums and eggplants may promote arthritis in some people . try excluding these foods to see if this eases your condition. It may be that pesticide poisoning and certain medications can also act as rheumatoid arthritis triggers.
The main types of arthritis Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage lining a joint-usually a weight bearing joint, such as the knee or hip-wears away. Excess fluid can then accumulate in the joints, causing swelling , pain and reduced mobility. Osteoarthritis is more common in people over 60. it affects almost three times as many women as men. Rheumatoid arthritis results from inflammation of the membrane lining the joints and eventually the cartilage, too. The affected joints become swollen , stiff and painful . in people with this form of arthritis , the normal immune response that is designed to protect from infection turns against the joint lining . the disorder usually begins in the fingers wrists and toes . you may inherit a tendency to rheumatoid arthritis, and one or more of several triggers may play a part . some people with the condition have additional symptoms , such as fatigue, anaemia , poor circulation , and trouble with the tendons , eyes and thyroid gland. The disease generally begins in young or middle-age adults and is two to three times more common in women. Infective arthritis occurs when inflammation is caused by bacterial infection . this may be the result of germs entering a wound or may may be linked to infection elsewhere in the body as with for example ,tuberculosis , gonorrhoea or a urinary –tract infection. Gout causes acute attacks of pain in the joints. It results from high levels of uric acid (a waste product) in the blood , which causes crystals of uric acid levels may be caused by inefficient kidney function. Often only one join is affected., frequently that of the big toe. In an attack the affected joint becomes red, hot , swollen and extremely painful. Gout is 10 times more common in men . it is generally found in women only after they have gone through menopause. |
TREATMENT
Most arthritis treatments aim to relax muscles and ease pain by reducing inflammation.Only a few try to correct the underlying causes.
Heat and cold: Heat can help relieve pain, aid circulation and ease stiffness; cold is better for a hot and swollen joint. You may find relief by using one or more of the following:
· A compress made by dipping a small towel in hot or cold water and wringing it out. Place this over the effected joint(s).
· A pack of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied to the painful area.
· Gloves , socks and other warm clothing.
· An Epsom salts bath for the discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis . Add two handfuls of Epsom salts to a hot bath and soak in the bath for 15-20mins . (This treatment is unsuitable , however, if you are very elderly or have high blood pressure.)
· Warm (not hot) melted beeswax or paraffin wax. Immerse arthritritis hands for 10 minutes. The wax peels off easily when cooled , and can be reused for further treatments.
Rest and exercise: A joint that is very painful or inflamed should be rested. When it feels better , exercise daily for half an hour to warm the joint without stressing it . Do some muscle strengthening exercises as well , to keep the muscles around the joints supple and to increase the production of joint-lubricating fluid.
Diet : Supply your joints and your immune system with the nutrients they need by ensuring that your diet is healthy. It should contain five daily servings of vegetables and fruits. The essential fatty acids in oily fish (such as herring, sardines and salmon), nuts, seeds (especially flaxseeds ) and whole grains are particularly helpful for reducing inflammation.
Some people find pineapple beneficial, possibly because it contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion and increase the absorption of nutrients . bromelain can reduce inflammation in the body when taken between meals and is also available as an extract.
Blueberries can also help combat arthritis: they are an excellent source of powerful anti-oxidants called proanthocyanidins, which can ease osteoarthritis and gout.
Special advice for gout: In addition to the advice given above , try the following measures to relieve joint pain resulting from gout:
- If you drink alcohol, rduce your intake.
- Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, so you could try taking fish oil daily. Fish oil is a rich source of two omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DPA).
- Eat plenty of foods containing high levels of beta-carotene (orange and yellow vegetables and fruits ), vitamin C (citrus fruits ), vitamin E (vegetable oils, nuts, seeds , beans and egg yolks –or from a vitamin E supplement) and selenium (whole grains , fish, and nuts).
- Eat cherries. They are an excellent source of proanthocyanidins, substances that are helpful for reducing the joint inflammation of gout.
Aromatherapy: German chamomile and lavender can ease inflammation. Juniper bery and cypress may reduce swelling. The warming properties of black pepper and sweet marjoram help relax muscles and relieve aching joints. Roman chamomile and cajuput oils may alleviate severe pain. Do not use cypress and cajuput oils in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy .Juniper berry oil should be avoided throughout pregnancy.
- Take a warm , scented bath . try sprinkling two drops of lavender oil into the water. If you are suffering from severe pain, add two drops of either cajuput or Roman chamomile.
- Make a warm compress by sprinkling two drops of lavender oil and two drops of juniper berry oil into a bowl of warm water. Place a piece of cloth over the surface of the water to pick up the oil film, then lay it over the affected joint. Cover with a towel , put a hot-water bottle on top , and leave for 30 minutes.
- Prepare some massage oil by mixing two drops each of juniper berry , black pepper andoman chamomile oils and five drops of lavender oil with ten teaspoon of olive or jojoba oil. Smooth this scented oil over the affected joints each day.
Stress-free exercise
Swimming is an ideal activity for those who suffer from arthritis, because it strengthens affected joints without jarring them. Choose the stroke you find most comfortable.
A spicy remedy
Turmeric contains powerful anti-inflammatory substances that ease sore joints. You can add the fresh or powdered root to curries and other dishes.
An effective supplement
Glucosamine, a cartilage-building compound, is an effective remedy for osteoarthritis. Take it as tablets or capsules according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Chondroitin sulphate, another cartilage-building substance, can be taken along with it. The treatment may take a few weeks to begin working.
Anti-arthritis foods
To help alleviate symptoms, include in your diet foods containing beta- carotene, such as yellow and orange produce; omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish and nuts , and proanthocyanidins, such as cherries.
Herbal remedies: Depending on your condition, choose from:
· Celery- seed tea for rheumatoid arthritis. Try drinking one small cup of celery-seed tea three times a day. Another approach is to add celery seeds to your soups, casseroles, salad dressings and pizzas.
· Devil’s claw tablets or capsules for rheumatoid arthritis. They are available from health –food stores and pharmacies. Alternatively, devils claw tincture is available on prescription from qualified herbalists. Devil’s claw sometimes causes indigestion; stop taking it if you experience this problem.
· Nettle or coriander tea for gout. These herbs help the kidneys get rid of urid acid.
· Two or three dandelion roots, boiled in one litre of water in a covered pan for one hour. Drink three times a day before meals.
Caution for safety concerns
Breathing: Some people find that their joints pain is worse if they breathe too fast or deeply. Exhaling too much carbon dioxide makes the blood more alkaline and prevents red blood cells from more alkaline and prevents red blood cells from releasing oxygen . the lack of oxygen results in a need to breathe even more deeply or quickly . practice breathing more slowly and try the breathing exercise. Consult your doctor before trying breathing exercise if you have disorder of the heart or lungs.
Kitchen cabinet remedies: Some people find the following traditional treatments effective:
- A mixture of four parts olive oil, eight parts spirit camhor , and one part cayenne pepper, used to massage the joints.
- Two teaspoons of apple-cider viniger in a glass of hot water flavoured with a teaspoon of honey, taken twice a day.
- Tea made by adding boiling water to two teaspoon of powdered ginger.
Joint-soothing herbs
Teas made from celery seed, nettles or coriander contain natural anti-inflammatory substances.
Get medical help if
- Pain is severe
- You also have a fever or don’t feel well.
- Self-help treatments don’t seem to improve your symptoms.
- Your arthritis is getting worse , or discomfort impairs sleep or everyday functioning.
Get help right away if the joints swells suddenly or severely.
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