Arthritis Cure Secrets - Most Popular Home Remedies for Arthritis
- By:Peter rodrick
Arthritis Introduction
The word 'arthritis' means 'inflammation of joints.' It comes from two Greek words, athron meaning joints and itis meaning inflammation. It is a chronic disease process. In the early stages, the whole body is usually involved and one or two joints may become completely deformed, leaving the patient handicapped and somewhat weakened. It is mostly seen in the elderly. Inflammation is the main feature of arthritis, which is a reaction of the joint tissues to some form of damage or injury and it highly affects joints and bones.
Types of Arthritis
There are more than 150 different types of arthritis and all affect joints and bones. The most common forms of arthritis are:
1. Osteoarthritis
2. Rheumatoid arthritis and
3. Gout.
Osteo-arthritis:- it is the most common degenerative joint disease and occurs after the age of 40. In this the bones increase in size and the space between them decreases, making the bones rub against each other, causing pain. It also results from structure changes in the particular cartilage, in the joints, mainly of spine and knees.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:- It is a serious disease that can occur at any stage of life. It is more disastrous then osteoarthritis as it destroys the ligaments and tendons that join the bones and muscles. It affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists, hips, knees and feet but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body. It is an autoimmune disorder where synovial membranes that line the joints, get inflamed and thickened, leading to pain and deformity of joints.
Gout:- It is caused by an excess of uric acid that accumulates in the system forming crystals that are caught in the spaces between the joints and cause inflammation and irritation. An excruciating pain is created in thumb, knee or elbow and most commonly the big toe.
Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis refers to the more than 100 distinct diseases that cause pain and swelling, and limit movement in joints and connective tissue. It is the main cause of severe pain and disability, which limits physical activity. The main symptoms of arthritis are:
1. Joint pain
2. Joint stiffness
3. Inability to move the joint freely and
4. Joint swelling
Other symptoms can include fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, lower extremity rash, and nodules.
Arthritis Causes
Many are of a view that living in a damp, cold climate increases the possibility of becoming afflicted with this very painful and debilitating condition and others ascribe it to overuse, for example typists whose fingers become knotted, athletes with swollen knees and troublesome hips, ballerinas with painful feet. It can also be caused by bad fall, a severe jolt or the trauma of an accident. The variety of other factors that cause arthritis are :
1. Joint instability:- Severe or recurrent joint injury from heavy physical activity, excess overweight-excessive body weight, exercise activities such as long-distance running, basketball, etc. performed over many years will result in the development of arthritis
2. Age related changes
3. Hormonal factors:- higher proportion of women suffer from this disease as compare to men and this is the result of hormonal changes which take place during the menopause.
4. Environmental factors:- like some are of the view that damp conditions increases the possibility of arthritis.
5. Psychological factors:- like stress that disturbs the body's hormonal balance and makes the immune system weak.
6. Food allergy:- a diet rich in animal products, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and wheat.
7. Nutrient deficiency:- calcium, magnesium, manganese, protein, essential fatty acids.
Arthritis Treatment - Home Remedies for Arthritis
1. Try a red flannel wrapped gently around painful joint and leave it overnight.
2. A gentle massage with warm live oil as soon as the pain starts is cheap and effective. One of the good home remedies for arthritis.
3. Garlic, juniper, lavender, cajuput, sage, rosemary, thyme, or sassafras Any one of these oils diluted in the proportions of one part to 10 parts of olive oil and used to massage the painful joint will bring immense relief. One of the well liked home remedies for arthritis.
4. The patient should be given a lukewarm enema for a few days to cleanse the bowels as the first step to prevent arthritis is to relieve constipation.
5. Steam baths and massage once a week are beneficial in the treatment of arthritis.
6. All general cold-water treatments, such as cold baths and cold sprays, should be avoided.