Dealing With Arthritis The Natural Way
Years of constant use eventually takes its toll on your joints. You end up with pain, limited movement and stiffness upon arising in bed. Joints that are commonly affected are the knees, hips, hands, elbows and shoulders. Although other joints, among those mentioned, may experience the same symptoms as well.
If one day you feel some pain and tenderness at a particular joint of your body, you may be suffering from arthritis. While it can affect people in the older age bracket, it can, in fact, affect anyone at any age. Arthritis simply means inflammation of the joints. Of course where there is swelling, there’s also pain.
The disease has many types. To date, there are over 100 - and still growing. Each one is classified based on the cause and what the symptoms are. But the most popular type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is brought about by wear and tear of the cartilage of the joints. Cartilage is a tough, elastic tissue that facilitates joint movement. It acts like a cushion which, when worn out, tremendously affects joint movements.
It’s extremely difficult to carry out daily tasks with arthritis. The swelling disallows movement as the pain can be really excruciating. There are different arthritis remedies given to someone afflicted with it, depending on the severity of the case. For most cases, oral intake of pain medications helps alleviate the symptoms. Such medications include ibuprofen, paracetamol, and NSAIDs. But for severe ones, injection of cortisone directly to the joint, or even surgery, may be necessary.
Aside from prescription drugs, there are also all-natural methods of dealing with arthritis. Glucosamine is a popular supplement taken by those suffering from it. The substance is naturally produced in the body. It helps in repairing damages incurred by cartilages. But this is only to a certain amount. Glucosamine supplements take theirs from shellfish sources, such as oysters and crabs.
For vegans or those with allergies to such food sources, there’s vegetarian glucosamine. This type comes from vegetable sources. Through a special fermentation process, the glucosamine contents may be extracted. It can also be easily absorbed in the intestines, providing an effective alternative to one that’s derived from shellfish.
The alkaline diet also helps in alleviating the signs and symptoms of arthritis. The diet involves consumption of only fruits and vegetables. Alkaline rich, they are able to offset excessive acidity in the body. You see, too much acid is linked to a variety of diseases. And it includes arthritis. The alkaline diet also helps in boosting your immune system, as the recommended foods are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Tags: arthritis, glucosamine, joint pain, medication, water aerobics