The word arthritis is used to describe pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint or joints. Arthritis isn’t a single condition and there are several different types....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). Other common rheumatic conditions related to arthritis include gout, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many have the potential to affect internal body areas as well.
What Are The Risk Factors For Arthritis?
Age: Generally, the older you get, the more risk you have of developing arthritis. However, younger people with joint pain, swelling, or stiffness might not even consider it as arthritis, but you can also get arthritis during young adulthood.
Obesity: Excess weight puts stress on joints and can put you at a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Previous injury: If you have ever injured a joint badly enough, you could develop OA in that area later in life.
Genetics: Some types of arthritis can be genetic, so if your parents or siblings have the condition, you may be at a higher risk.
Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop certain types of arthritis, including OA and RA.
Autoimmune Disorders: Autoimmune diseases cause your body’s immune system to mistakenly attack normal cells. In autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your immune system attacks the lining of your joints, which can cause pain, stiffness, and mobility problems.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Arthritis?
There are many forms of inflammatory arthritis, and signs that are typical for most include:
Joint stiffness, especially when waking up in the morning or after sitting at a desk or riding in a car for a long time. Morning stiffness that lasts longer than an hour is good reason to suspect arthritis.
Intermittent/Sharp Pain or Arching in one or multiple joints, that gradually becomes worse over time. The pain may be triggered by activity, or it may set in after activity or at the end of a long day.
Joint swelling and tenderness: As arthritis gets worse, it can cause joints to be swollen and tender. It may hurt when you press down on the joint.
Decreased range of motion, Difficulty walking, or Muscle Weakness: Pretty much all other signs of arthritis can limit your ability to move about normally. If you have arthritis of the knee, for example, you may find that squatting down or jumping no longer come easily.
All these signs should prompt you to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
What Can You Do To Fight Arthritis Naturally?
Arthritis has no cure. However, its treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint function. Here are steps you can take to minimize pain and stiffness.
*Engage in regular exercise. It can help keep joints flexible, and reduce stress on weight-bearing joints.
*Excess weight puts extra stress on weight-bearing joints. Losing weight if you’re overweight may increase your mobility and limit future joint injury.
*Applying heating pads or ice packs may help relieve arthritis pain.
*Eating a diet that’s rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods can help boost your immune system and your overall health.
*Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that including it in your diet may help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation.
*Getting a massage can provide an overall sense of well-being, and may also help manage joint pain and discomfort.
*Reducing stress may also help lower inflammation and pain, and enable you to cope with it better.
*See your doctor for medications applicable to your type of arthritis.
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