Osteoarthritis is by far the most common form of arthritis, afflicting approximately 40 million American. Up to age 55, about the same percentage of men and women have osteoarthritis, with men being slightly more vulnerable. After that age, women are more vulnerable and it affects them in different ways. In women, the disease seems to affect the hands, knees, ankles and feet, usually involving multiple joints. In men, the hips, wrists and spine are more likely to be affected.
The word ‘arthritis’ means joint inflammation. The pain and inflammation occur when the cartilage that protects the bones from rubbing against each other wears down. The disease usually appears in joints that do most of the body’s hard work, like the knees, the hips, the spine, the hands and the wrists. Osteoarthritis involves the entire joint and the joint cover (capsule).
Although injury or the normal wear and tear of life often can result in cartilage damage, there are other aspects that can make it much worse like food allergies, poor diet, and mineral deposits in the joints. Some sufferers of arthritis find that the effects of mental and emotional stress can aggravate arthritis pain. Also, changes in the weather, usually rain and falling barometric pressure, often cause arthritis flare-ups.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis…
- Morning stiffness – you may also feel a “grating” or “catching” sensation in the joint during movement.
- Restricted range of motion.
- Painful, swollen joints - you may feel pain during movement or even at rest.
- Deformity of joints (in some cases)
Root causes of Osteoarthritis…
- Fractures or other injuries, even those that could have occurred earlier in life.
- Excess of body fat, which then causes extra undue stress on joints.
- Food allergies.
- Hormone imbalance.
- Having a diet that is high in fats and animal products, both of which promote an acidic internal environment.
- Poor posture or imbalance due to abnormal foot arch.
- Emotional and mental stress.
- Diabetics are prone to osteoarthritis.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis are treatable, especially in the early stages of the disease. There are different therapies available to help reduce or eliminate the pain associated with osteoarthritis. The main ones are listed below…
Over the counter medications (OTCs) – Usually the first drug prescribed for osteoarthritis is acetaminophen (Tylenol). If that doesn’t help then the next drugs to be prescribed are usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil). Newer OTC preparations include chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate, which are natural substances found in the joint fluid.
Natural Remedies – If the thought of taking OTC’s or prescription drugs for pain relief does not appeal to you, then you do have other options. There are quite a few natural remedies for osteoarthritis on the market, but make sure you check the ingredients, and confirm that they are actually natural.
What you need to look for in the ingredients is that glucosamine complex, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM are present. Most over-the-counter pain preparations like Advil and Tylenol, destroy sulfur while being metabolized by the liver. But, the body needs sulfur for normal re-building of tissues. This is why the MSM is so important. It replaces the sulfur lost when the body detoxifies the pain relievers. glucosamine complex and chondroitin sulfate, with MSM, work as a team, enhancing each other. Glucosamine and chondroitin help supply the nutrient building blocks for cartilage health MSM supplies the sulfur necessary for the integrity of connective tissue. All this will help relieve your pain and discomfort.
Self care - One aspect of this is weight loss. If you are overweight then you are putting undue stress on your joints and that can increase your chances of getting osteoarthritis. Another example is exercise - regular exercise may help to strengthen the muscles and potentially stimulate cartilage growth. (Avoid high-impact sports, though).
Adding vitamins and minerals to your diet has showed to improve osteoarthritis pain – antioxidant vitamins C and E may provide some protection, and vitamin D and calcium are recommended for strong bones. Heat is another option - Hot soaks and warm wax (paraffin) application may relieve pain. Both heat and cold can help relieve osteoarthritis, depending on the symptoms. If pain is the main problem, heat will help. If swelling is the main problem, then cold will help.
Splints or braces help with joint alignment and weight redistribution. Other examples include walkers, crutches or canes, grab bars and orthopaedic footwear.
Bodywork – Massage, reflexology, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy are all great bodywork techniques that can help to alleviate the pain of osteoarthritis. Massaging the areas around an arthritic joint will reduce the build-up of lymphatic fluid and help it drain away. Also, massage helps to relax the body and mind and loosen the muscles that have tightened in reaction to pain.
Just soaking in a hot bath with Epsom salts or mineral salts for at least 20 minutes will help eliminate toxins through sweat and the salts will help replenish the body’s mineral stores.
There are many different oils that will reduce stress, so try which one appeals to you. Some good choices are chamomile, jasmine, lavender and rose. To assist in cleansing the joints of mineral and acid deposits, use juniper or lemon balm in a hot bath.
Stress reduction – Many doctors and other experts have noted that emotional stress and an inability to accept criticism seem to appear frequently in arthritis sufferers. Also, osteoarthritis in itself can cause great tension, both muscular and emotional, and even depression. General stress reduction therapies would include yoga, tai chi, or Pilates.
Other recommendations – Vitamin D from sunshine is crucial to bone health. Don’t let osteoarthritis pain keep you from getting out in the early morning sun every day that it’s sunny.
Arthritis sufferers often cut back on activity, but studies show that moderate exercise actually reduces pain and swelling. While you must avoid high impact and joint pounding workouts like tennis or jogging, low impact ones like swimming, aqua-aerobics, cycling and walking are excellent choices.
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