Introduction – What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition in which the joints experience inflammation, making movement painful and eventually impossible.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with some being more common than others. Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis, which affects about 27 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis is also common and it affects about 1.3 million Americans.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints, but it isn’t limited to just joints. The inflammation can also affect other parts of the body including the eyes, lungs or skin. There are different types of treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis and medications can help with controlling symptoms.
Why Treating Arthritis Is Important and What Can Be Done to Reduce Pain?
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects more than 20 million Americans and can strike at any age. It causes the cartilage that covers the ends of bones to wear down. As this protective layer deteriorates, it becomes more difficult for the joints to move smoothly and without pain.
If you have arthritis, here are some things you can do to help reduce your pain:
– Exercise regularly.
– Stay active. Take walks or do light exercises indoors if your joints are stiff or painful.
– Use a cane or walker if you need help walking
– Use cold packs on sore joints for 15 minutes at a time up to three times a day
– Consider taking over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to
Best exercise routines for people with arthritis
People with arthritis are often encouraged to do exercises that improve muscle and joint flexibility. The following is a list of the best exercises for people with arthritis:
1. Yoga
2. Swimming
3. Warm water therapy
What foods help with arthritis?
There are many different foods that can help with arthritis. These foods have anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints.
Some of these food include:
Omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce joint inflammation. Foods that contain omega 3’s include salmon, sardines, mackerel, flaxseeds, walnuts, soybeans and tofu.
Tomatoes contain lycopene which is an antioxidant that helps to reduce joint inflammation. Lycopene is found in tomatoes and tomato products like ketchup or spaghetti sauce. Cabbage contains indole-3-carbinol which helps with the breakdown of pro-inflammatory chemicals that cause pain as well as helping with estrogen balance in women. Cabbage can be found in coleslaw
A Few Ways to Relieve Joint Pain Naturally at Home
There are many ways to relieve joint pain naturally at home. Here are a few methods.
If you have joint pain, the following natural remedies can help. Try these home remedies for relief:
– Immersing in a hot bath for 10 minutes
– Taking a warm compress or using a heating pad
– Putting your hands in ice water and then rubbing into your arthritic joints
– Eating foods high in omega 3s, such as oily fish and walnuts.