Last updated on October 7th, 2024 at 05:12 pm
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a very common condition characterised by swelling and tenderness in the joints. People affected may have stiffness and pain in the joints that worsens with age.
Arthritis can affect everyone , even children. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, the symptoms can vary.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are often used for arthritis treatment. However, you can alleviate the symptoms by natural methods as well.
Types of arthritis
The Three Most Common Types of Arthritis | Diagnosis – FAQ about Arthritis
There is hard tissue covering the ends of your bones near the joints. Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the breakdown of this slippery tissue. When the cartilage gets roughened, the body goes into repair mode, resulting in any of the following:
- Osteophytes or tiny bits of extra bone can develop at the end of the joint.
- The thick fluid present in the joint can increase.
- The joint may lose shape as the joint capsule stretches.
1) Rheumatoid arthritis
This condition occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation. Extra fluids and blood are sent to the area to fight infection. This results in the following:
- Painful joint movement.
- The joints can get damaged due to chemicals in the fluid.
- The extra fluid in the joints stretches the joint capsule.
- The chemicals in the fluid can cause irritation and pain.
- When too much uric acid is in your blood, crystals can form, causing gout. This common and painful form of arthritis is characterized by swelling and intense pain in the affected area.
Medications are the best option for rheumatoid arthritis cure.
2) Arthritis treatment
A few lifestyle changes and the right diet can help you lead a more comfortable and pain-free life, depending on the severity of your arthritis.
– Weight management
The more you weigh, the more weight your joints have to support. This makes weight management crucial for the treatment of arthritis. So, how does weight reduction help your arthritis treatment?
- Your mobility increases as there is less weight to carry.
- The pain decreases.
- You can prevent further damage to the joints.
- You can increase activity.
- Exercises such as cycling, walking, swimming or water aerobics help manage weight, strengthen your joints and give your joints flexibility. The feel-good factor after exercise also helps in arthritis cure.
-Alternate hot and cold compresses
- Hot and cold treatments are popular ways to ease the pain of arthritis.
- Forms of hot treatment such as hot baths, warm showers, moist heating pads, or an electric blanket are good treatments for arthritis.
- Forms of cold treatment, such as cold packs, can reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with arthritis. A bag of frozen peas can do the trick if you don’t have an ice pack. Wrap the ice or frozen peas in a towel before application for the treatment of arthritis.
-Ancient Chinese acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment that uses fine needles to remove blockages in the body. These needles improve the flow of qi to reduce pain. However, it’s best to consult a licensed acupuncturist for your treatment. This is considered a natural cure for arthritis in the fingers and other joints.
-Healthy diet
A diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole foods and nuts can go a long way in arthritis cure. A plant-based diet reduces inflammation as the antioxidants eliminate the free radicals. In comparison, red meat and processed food, excess sugar and salt aggravate the inflammation in arthritis patients.
Risk factors of arthritis
What are the risk factors of arthritis?
- Family history
- Age
- Women are more likely to get arthritis than men
- Obesity increases the risk of arthritis
Arthritis can be treated
While there is no cure for arthritis, treatment and lifestyle changes can give you a lot of relief from pain and also increase your mobility. For the best results, consider consulting your doctor as soon as possible. At times, the right medication and lifestyle changes can make arthritis easier to manage.
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FAQs related to arthritis
1. Does meditation help manage arthritis pain?
A great way to deal with arthritis pain is meditation. The relaxation methods reduce stress and thereby lower pain and inflammation. Studies have shown the benefits of meditation for the treatment of arthritis.
2. Is turmeric beneficial for arthritis?
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. This can help with the pain associated with arthritis.
3. Which herbal supplements can help reduce joint pain?
Herbs such as ginkgo, stinging nettle, devil’s claw, Boswellia, and bromelain are said to be good for the treatment of arthritis.
