Arthritis - A Primer
Did you find it difficult to get moving this morning? Have
you noticed that your joints are painful after a mild workout?
Are you beginning to wonder if you have a bit of arthritis?
And what should you do about it?
One of the first symptoms of arthritis is pain and stiffness-
especially in the morning and after exercise. There are several
different types of arthritis. In this article, the two most
common types will be explained- osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the deterioration of the cartilage that
protects the ends of bones. It can be caused by injury, but
most often, it is due to wear and tear from ageing, diet and
lifestyle. Osteoarthritis is sometimes called degenerative
arthritis. The joints most commonly affected are the weight
bearing joints, hips, knees and back. It also frequently occurs
in the joints of the hand and knuckles. This type of arthritis
rarely occurs before age 40, and affects nearly everyone over
60 years.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation disorder of the immune
system. That means it is a 'self-attacking-self' disease.
In this case, the body's immune system improperly identifies
the synovial membrane as a foreign substance. As a result,
the joint swells up, causing damage to the cartilage and tissues
around the joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis can start at any age, including childhood.
Onset can sometimes be traced to physical or emotional stress,
poor nutrition, bacterial infections, or genetics.
To determine the presence of arthritis, a combination of
medical tests are used. A blood test will indicate the probability
of the presence of the disease. X-rays, MRI scans and bone
scans are used to visualize the joints to check the severity
and progression of arthritis.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, a wide variety of treatment
options are available to slow the progression and maintain
mobility. Arthritis has been around since the beginning of
time, and there is ongoing research being done to find a cure.
The Arthritis Society funds and tracks ongoing research trials,
as well as the latest breakthroughs on the medical front.
They publish these latest finding on their website, as well
as in their newsletter. If you have arthritis, you might want
to research their website.
In addition to medications, physical therapy, whirlpool treatments,
thermotherapy (moist heat), and joint exercises are used to
increase mobility and prevent complications. Cold gel packs
can relieve the pain of inflamed joints. A hot morning shower
will often relieve morning stiffness.
Some foods naturally fight inflammation. Tart red cherries
can relieve pain and inflammation. You will need to eat about
20 each day. Fresh pineapple is also excellent at reducing
inflammation. You might want to consider adding asparagus,
eggs, garlic and onions to your diet. These foods help your
body repair and rebuild bone and cartilage. Other beneficial
foods include leafy green vegetables, non-acidic fresh fruits,
oatmeal, brown rice and fish.
Allergies can trigger inflammation, and aggravate arthritis
symptoms. Many sufferers of neck and back pain have reported
relief when they eliminated certain foods that they were allergic
to.
Regular, moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming is
important for reducing pain and slowing the deterioration
of joints. Losing excess weight is also beneficial. When participating
in any strenuous physical activity, it is important to incorporate
frequent rest periods. This will allow you to keep your strength,
without damaging your joints.
If you suspect that you might have arthritis, make an appointment
with your doctor to find out for sure. The sooner you start
taking care of your joints, the better.
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Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
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