Arthritis is a medical condition that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to joint swelling, stiffness and pain. The pain is characterized with the presence of redness, swelling, tenderness, heat and pain. Though arthritis usually affects the area in or around joints, it can also cause damage to other body organs like the skin, lungs, heart, eyes, kidneys, muscles, liver, blood vessels and respiratory passages. Arthritis develops gradually that is the reason why several people do not notice it at an early stage. Arthritis affects men and women of all ages including children of young age.
What causes arthritis?
Arthritis usually is caused due to something going wrong with the joints. Certain environmental factors also can cause this inflammatory joint problem.
- Deterioration of the bones and cartilage in a joint
- Persistent irritation of soft tissues around a joint
- A joint being infected
- Amassing of crystals in a joint
- Genetic predisposition
How does it affect our lifestyles?
Arthritis is usually chronic and can become a hurdle in completing simple tasks like brushing your teeth, washing dishes or climbing stairs. It occurs in any human being and is not predisposed to a particular group of people on earth. Arthritis starts in the prime of life and increases as people age. Even when treated, arthritis affects the person’s life deeply, an arthritis patient usually experiences constant pain, exhaustion, functional disability and depression. Being a chronic condition, it impacts the patient’s quality of life, his physical and mental health.
What is the cure for arthritis?
Many think that Arthritis is a curable disease, however, if asked ‘what is arthritis cure?’ , the answer remains that the cure is yet to be found. Early detection of Arthritis can help doctors treat the patients to slow down the progression of the disease and make the joint pain manageable. Western medicine offers treatments like surgery, physical therapy, medicines or occupational therapy. Alternative treatments that exist are Yoga, Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Tai Chi and herbal medicine. It depends largely upon the attitude and the inner strength of every individual to fight this disease through a specific treatment.
The best five ways to reduce the pain are:
1. Exercise: Physical activity is a must for people with arthritis; it can mean walking if you’re a fragile older person or swimming laps if you are a younger person. A light daily exercise routine will help in alleviating pain.
2. Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps relieve pain and disability due to arthritis; studies have shown that people benefit from the procedure. Best to check the credentials before selecting your healer.
3. Yoga: You will need a knowledgeable teacher who is well aware of the extent of your condition. If it is severe then better to perform yoga under his/her supervision. Yoga has been very effective in reducing pain in joints with the help of blood flow in the body through posture.
4. Physical Therapy: An experienced therapist who knows to treat arthritic patients with care will be immensely beneficial. Since joints are involved the patients cannot be forced to keep on performing like athletes do. Sensible boundaries must be set.
5. Food: Your diet should include Carotenes, Anthocyanins, Brazil Nuts, Sweet Peppers and Foods Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
This kind of diet will help strengthen joints and help boost our immune system.
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