Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people across the world. It is usually a condition that only afflicts those that are older. It can start as a result of an injury, typically within the joints, or it can be the result of an infection. Inside of the joints, the cartilage tissue begins to break down. If you have a genetic predisposition to developing this, it can start much earlier. It also has to do with the activities that you do, or that you do not do. People that are overly active, or people that do not do very much at all, are at the highest risk of developing arthritis at an early age. Let’s discuss some of the different types of arthritis, and how you can find relief from this condition by using these five simple strategies to get pain relief.
Different Types Of Arthritis
There are two types of arthritis that are very common. This includes osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is referred to as degenerative joint disease. It is the most common of all conditions that can affect your joints, affecting nearly 30 million people in the United States alone. If you have this, you have cartilage that is in disrepair. Once it is gone, your bones will rub up against each other. It is this constant friction which causes the pain that you will feel. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a more chronic condition that is progressive, a type of inflammation in the joints that can lead to deformities. You may even become immobile, specifically in your ankles, wrists, and in your fingers. In both cases, there are treatments that can help reduce the pain that you are feeling.
Is There A Cure For Arthritis?
There is no cure for arthritis. However, there are ways to slow down the progression of this disease. There is no way to prevent people from getting older, or for the cells of your cartilage to miraculously rejuvenate. What you can do is prevent this from occurring at a fast rate. This can be done through certain medications, activities, and even natural supplements that are available online or at your local store. In fact, by taking these supplements regularly, you can prevent arthritis from developing for decades simply because you are providing your body with what it needs to maintain the cartilage in your joints. These supplements will include glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids can be obtained through fish oil or something called chondroitin.
If you currently have arthritis now, you can take the supplements that will prevent the condition from getting worse, but you may need to address the pain that you are constantly feeling right now.
Five Ways To Get Pain Relief For Arthritis
There are five specific ways that you can get relief from the pain that arthritis causes. First, you need to lose weight. This is a pain relief strategy that should make the most sense for generally everyone. Essentially, the heavier you are, the more pressure you will be placing on your joints as you are moving around. Therefore, if you are overweight by 50 pounds or more, it is quite probable that your arthritic pain has been exacerbated because of this extra weight that you are packing around. Second, you can get more exercise. Not only will this help you lose weight, but it will allow you to maintain flexibility in the areas where you are currently experiencing the most pain. Third, hot and cold therapy, is a great way to deal with the pain within minutes. Some people will use an electric blanket, take hot showers, or they may use frozen vegetables with a towel over the areas that are afflicted. It is through the rotation of extreme hot and cold that you will eventually feel pain relief. Fourth, you should attempt acupuncture. This is an ancient Chinese treatment that has been used for thousands of years. For those that do not like needles, this may not be the best solution for you. They will actually insert very slim needles into what are called Meridian points, causing the pain that you are feeling to diminish. Finally, you can try meditation to reduce your overall pain. Meditation it’s not just about clearing the mind, but it can also be beneficial if you are maintaining certain positions while you are meditating. Maintaining those positions will require you to stretch, and by stretching, you will also be reducing some of the arthritic pain that you feel, especially in your knees and ankles.
What About Medications That Help With Arthritis?
There are two specific medications that you can take, both of which are available over-the-counter and with the prescription. If you have severe pain, you will want to go to a doctor, so they can provide you with the prescription for pain patches for arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often recommended. These are more commonly referred to as NSAIDs. If you get these at the store, you will likely purchase Aleve, Motrin, or one of the other generic versions. These can provide you with pain relief very quickly. Ibuprofen is another way to reduce the pain. This will not reduce inflammation but will provide you with some pain relief. The combination of the two will likely lead to reducing the discomfort that you are feeling on a daily basis. Combined with the other five strategies, you may end up feeling better than you have in years.
If you do have a genetic predisposition for developing arthritis, or if you are simply overweight, you now know strategies that you can use to reduce arthritic pain. By using these natural remedies, combined with the pharmaceutical drugs that can help, you may see pain relief that is consistent in a matter of days. For immediate pain, certainly consider going to an acupuncturist, or get a prescription for an anti-inflammatory that is stronger than what you can get over-the-counter. To prevent further problems, always remember to take your supplements of glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids so that you can prevent the further decomposition of the cartilage that separates your bones in your joints.
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