Before we delve into the remedies for arthritis, it is important to understand the two main types of arthritis. There are over one hundred types of arthritis but they all go under the heading of these two main branches:
1. Osteoarthritis
This is my burden in life, the main type and the one most often suffered. Osteoarthritis means basically the degeneration of joints. Your knees and hips and lower back are giving out on you and the loss of mobility in these joints causes untold pain. If you are an athlete or an older person you most likely suffer from some degree of osteoarthritis. You find that your lower back aches, your knees hurt when you climb stairs and your hips ache if you stand or sit too long. You are not alone. Over 33 million people in the United States suffer from this type of arthritis. This condition can and does result from obesity because the wear and tear also results from the weight-bearing joints start to break down. With Osteoarthritis, the cartilage or soft bone in the joint begins to wear down. It had been serving as your shock absorber for many years, and protecting the joints from damage. As more damage to your joints occurs over time, the cartilage on the bones of the joint starts to wear away more and more and soon it does not work at all.
The cushioning effect of the cartilage is gone and also the gel-like fluid in the joints. The end result is pain when you run, walk or stand for a long time. You might HYHQ KHDU WKH JUDWLQJ VRXQG DV WKH MRLQW·V URXJK HGJHV RI FDUWLODJH UXE XS DJDLQVt each other. Bone spurs can develop at they end of the bones and they are very painful.
If one area, such as your lower back is affected, there are several vertebrae affected. An x-ray of your lower back and knees will be able to detect the damage and to what degree each is suffering. The diagnostician will be able to pinpoint which S joints or Spinal joints and L joints or Lumbar will need attention, or to what degree you knee joints are affected. After that determination you are responsible for whichever treatment you opt to take, and you need to be informed. Many people continue to live athletic and demanding lives, you will not be compromised by osteoarthritis, but you will need help. And that you have to judge for yourself!
The Second Type of Arthritis
The second most debilitating type of arthritis is called Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is characterized as an enduring disease that affects joints in any part of the body but most especially the hands, wrists and knees. You may remember your grandmother or aunt with gnarled up hands, enlarged knuckles and closed up fists. She was hardly able to lift a spoon or a pot, but she could still cook. The only trouble is she could no longer knit, crochet or do any fine-motor skills. The looks of the hand is the signal that rheumatism has taken over. In this type of arthritis, the body is attacking itself, called auto-immune disease. There were no damages or accidents to the wrist or knuckles or knees. The body is simply ganging up on itself and causing the joints to swell up and gnarl up. The inflammation in the joints then spreads to any surrounding tissues and can damage the cartilage or bone. In very severe cases rheumatism can spread and do damage to the skin, eyes and nerves. Lupus, gout and fibromyalgia are also classed under the rheumatoid arthritis branch in which the body is attacking itself and is an auto-immune disease. The first symptoms of any sort of arthritis are:
x Pain in the joint areas of the body
x Fatigue due to lack of beneficial sleep
x Aches which seem to come and go with changes in the weather x Diminished capacity of active life
x Joints react with severe stabs of pain
x Lower back aches which start with early morning stiffness and reappear all day x Pain reappears throughout the day with normal activity Lupus is an agonizing auto-immune systemic disease in which the antibodies start to attack QRW RQO\ WKH MRLQWV EXW DOVR WKH ERG\·V RUJDQV 7KH KHDUW NLGQH\V H\HV OXQJV DQG VNLQ FDQ
become involved and slowly fill the patient with agonizing pain. Gout occurs when crystals gather in the joint, as in the knees, and make movement of any sort painful and difficult. The knees, knuckles and toes are the most susceptible to gout. Fibromyalgia is another type of arthritis in which the muscles surrounding the joints are affected with pain and aches. There are 11 points that a rheumatologist checks and at least 8 of them have to react in order to be determined as Fibromyalgia. It is often grouped together with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but I find that not to be the case. Pain and discomfort is the only characteristic for me with bouts of fatigue on certain days. Medical Treatment for Arthritis
Now that we have defined what arthritis is, we can discuss what the medical field will offer you in one form or another. The doctors and rheumatologists have diagnosed the arthritis so it their duty to follow through with a medical plan. You might be offered an anti-inflammatory in pill form. An anti-inflammatory or NSAID is usually very safe to take and does not interfere with any other medication you might be taking. It is used for arthritis pain, sports injuries and headaches. It will relieve the constant pain or ache if taken on schedule, daily and with food. The only side effects that I am familiar with are stomach problems, so take them with food to reduce the risk of an ulcer,
Names of NSAIDs that you might recognize are Naproxen, Celebrex and aspirin. In fact, ordinary baby aspirin of 81 mg is also recommended for heart patients to prevent blood clots. So in addition to relieving pain, aspirin is good for the heart in a small dose every day. An NSAID is fine to relieve the inflammation but the pain is a different matter. Pain relievers that can be prescribed or sold over the counter are Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and many others too many of which to include. These pain relievers in addition to the NSAIDs as above would be an adequate combination to help out with the pain and aches of arthritis.
If, however, your arthritis, or disc degeneration is so severe, and the pain unbearable, the doctor may give you a prescription for Tylenol #3 or #4, Oxycocet or Percocet which are YHU\ SRWHQW 'RQ·W SODQ RQ ZRUNLQJ RU GULYLQJ RU WDNLQJ FDUH RI VPDOO FKLOGUHQ if you are taking these on a regular basis. I take mine at night to give me a deep sleep along with Naproxen to reduce the swelling. Also keep in mind that these are narcotics and they are very potent. Do not leave any pills or medication within reach of a baby or youngster, Opiates are also very habit-forming and can become a problem if you take them for a long period of time.
In addition to medication, the doctor may request that you have sports therapy which is a special athletic gym with equipment to reduce the weight bearing on your joints and give your muscles a work out. Physiotherapists are trained to put you on a routine of special equipment to take the pressure off of the joints and to reduce the inflammation. It is wonderful to take part in the facilities and to gain some strength and agility back. Alternative Methods for Arthritis
For every country, culture and ethnicity there is a cure for arthritis. We are now learning to trust and use the alternative methods which have proven tried and true for centuries for many races. Modern society has the majority of us run to the university trained doctors but we do not necessarily need to choose their suggestions for a cure. I will offer home remedies first because some of them can be made from the garden or from household items. Bear in mind that these are for your perusal and do not promise to cure. Once again, make sure your doctor knows what you are trying. 1. Teas made of just about any herb or root, steeped for two minutes, drunk three times daily
1. Osteoarthritis
This is my burden in life, the main type and the one most often suffered. Osteoarthritis means basically the degeneration of joints. Your knees and hips and lower back are giving out on you and the loss of mobility in these joints causes untold pain. If you are an athlete or an older person you most likely suffer from some degree of osteoarthritis. You find that your lower back aches, your knees hurt when you climb stairs and your hips ache if you stand or sit too long. You are not alone. Over 33 million people in the United States suffer from this type of arthritis. This condition can and does result from obesity because the wear and tear also results from the weight-bearing joints start to break down. With Osteoarthritis, the cartilage or soft bone in the joint begins to wear down. It had been serving as your shock absorber for many years, and protecting the joints from damage. As more damage to your joints occurs over time, the cartilage on the bones of the joint starts to wear away more and more and soon it does not work at all.
The cushioning effect of the cartilage is gone and also the gel-like fluid in the joints. The end result is pain when you run, walk or stand for a long time. You might HYHQ KHDU WKH JUDWLQJ VRXQG DV WKH MRLQW·V URXJK HGJHV RI FDUWLODJH UXE XS DJDLQVt each other. Bone spurs can develop at they end of the bones and they are very painful.
If one area, such as your lower back is affected, there are several vertebrae affected. An x-ray of your lower back and knees will be able to detect the damage and to what degree each is suffering. The diagnostician will be able to pinpoint which S joints or Spinal joints and L joints or Lumbar will need attention, or to what degree you knee joints are affected. After that determination you are responsible for whichever treatment you opt to take, and you need to be informed. Many people continue to live athletic and demanding lives, you will not be compromised by osteoarthritis, but you will need help. And that you have to judge for yourself!
The Second Type of Arthritis
The second most debilitating type of arthritis is called Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is characterized as an enduring disease that affects joints in any part of the body but most especially the hands, wrists and knees. You may remember your grandmother or aunt with gnarled up hands, enlarged knuckles and closed up fists. She was hardly able to lift a spoon or a pot, but she could still cook. The only trouble is she could no longer knit, crochet or do any fine-motor skills. The looks of the hand is the signal that rheumatism has taken over. In this type of arthritis, the body is attacking itself, called auto-immune disease. There were no damages or accidents to the wrist or knuckles or knees. The body is simply ganging up on itself and causing the joints to swell up and gnarl up. The inflammation in the joints then spreads to any surrounding tissues and can damage the cartilage or bone. In very severe cases rheumatism can spread and do damage to the skin, eyes and nerves. Lupus, gout and fibromyalgia are also classed under the rheumatoid arthritis branch in which the body is attacking itself and is an auto-immune disease. The first symptoms of any sort of arthritis are:
x Pain in the joint areas of the body
x Fatigue due to lack of beneficial sleep
x Aches which seem to come and go with changes in the weather x Diminished capacity of active life
x Joints react with severe stabs of pain
x Lower back aches which start with early morning stiffness and reappear all day x Pain reappears throughout the day with normal activity Lupus is an agonizing auto-immune systemic disease in which the antibodies start to attack QRW RQO\ WKH MRLQWV EXW DOVR WKH ERG\·V RUJDQV 7KH KHDUW NLGQH\V H\HV OXQJV DQG VNLQ FDQ
become involved and slowly fill the patient with agonizing pain. Gout occurs when crystals gather in the joint, as in the knees, and make movement of any sort painful and difficult. The knees, knuckles and toes are the most susceptible to gout. Fibromyalgia is another type of arthritis in which the muscles surrounding the joints are affected with pain and aches. There are 11 points that a rheumatologist checks and at least 8 of them have to react in order to be determined as Fibromyalgia. It is often grouped together with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but I find that not to be the case. Pain and discomfort is the only characteristic for me with bouts of fatigue on certain days. Medical Treatment for Arthritis
Now that we have defined what arthritis is, we can discuss what the medical field will offer you in one form or another. The doctors and rheumatologists have diagnosed the arthritis so it their duty to follow through with a medical plan. You might be offered an anti-inflammatory in pill form. An anti-inflammatory or NSAID is usually very safe to take and does not interfere with any other medication you might be taking. It is used for arthritis pain, sports injuries and headaches. It will relieve the constant pain or ache if taken on schedule, daily and with food. The only side effects that I am familiar with are stomach problems, so take them with food to reduce the risk of an ulcer,
Names of NSAIDs that you might recognize are Naproxen, Celebrex and aspirin. In fact, ordinary baby aspirin of 81 mg is also recommended for heart patients to prevent blood clots. So in addition to relieving pain, aspirin is good for the heart in a small dose every day. An NSAID is fine to relieve the inflammation but the pain is a different matter. Pain relievers that can be prescribed or sold over the counter are Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and many others too many of which to include. These pain relievers in addition to the NSAIDs as above would be an adequate combination to help out with the pain and aches of arthritis.
If, however, your arthritis, or disc degeneration is so severe, and the pain unbearable, the doctor may give you a prescription for Tylenol #3 or #4, Oxycocet or Percocet which are YHU\ SRWHQW 'RQ·W SODQ RQ ZRUNLQJ RU GULYLQJ RU WDNLQJ FDUH RI VPDOO FKLOGUHQ if you are taking these on a regular basis. I take mine at night to give me a deep sleep along with Naproxen to reduce the swelling. Also keep in mind that these are narcotics and they are very potent. Do not leave any pills or medication within reach of a baby or youngster, Opiates are also very habit-forming and can become a problem if you take them for a long period of time.
In addition to medication, the doctor may request that you have sports therapy which is a special athletic gym with equipment to reduce the weight bearing on your joints and give your muscles a work out. Physiotherapists are trained to put you on a routine of special equipment to take the pressure off of the joints and to reduce the inflammation. It is wonderful to take part in the facilities and to gain some strength and agility back. Alternative Methods for Arthritis
For every country, culture and ethnicity there is a cure for arthritis. We are now learning to trust and use the alternative methods which have proven tried and true for centuries for many races. Modern society has the majority of us run to the university trained doctors but we do not necessarily need to choose their suggestions for a cure. I will offer home remedies first because some of them can be made from the garden or from household items. Bear in mind that these are for your perusal and do not promise to cure. Once again, make sure your doctor knows what you are trying. 1. Teas made of just about any herb or root, steeped for two minutes, drunk three times daily
