Joint inflammation is the literal definition of arthritis, this term is often used to group over one hundred rheumatic diseases that cause pain, stiffness and swelling in your joints. We are going to look at the three main type and who is effected by them.
The pain of arthritis is not limited to just the joints it can and does spread to other parts of the body as well. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones and possibly some internal organs can all be effected by arthritis. We are going to talk about your pain and some natural therapies that you can do to alleviate that pain.
Pain can be classified into two main categories, chronic and acute. An acute pain is one that is temporary and often sudden. The pain dissipates as you heal. When you think of acute pain and what would cause think along the lines of a burn, a cut, a broken bone. Yes, they don’t sound acute, but the point is that as you heal the pain lessons. This is a contrast to chronic pain.
Chronic pain is pain that does not go away, there isn’t a healing process that lessens that pain for you. Chronic pain is one of America’s leading causes for disability and one of the most weakening effects of arthritis.
The intensity of the pain associated with any form of arthritis varies from person to person. Some people have a higher tolerance for pain then others. Factors that contribute to this pain can include swelling within the joint, heat or redness present, and the damage that has already been done to the joint.
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis this is also called degenerative arthritis. Your cartilage that is meant to protect your bones, is slowly worn away over time. This causes stiffness and pain. This seems to effect people more so as they age, men after the age of 50 and women after the age of 40.
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder. This arthritis occurs when your body’s defense mechanisms fight when there isn’t a threat. The body essentially is beginning to attack itself. Rheumatoid arthritis effects over 2 million Americans, or 1% of the adult population. Women are almost three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as men. The age group most affected is between the ages of 20 and 50.
Children are affected as well and the type of arthritis that they get is a version of rheumatoid arthritis called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. There is also Gout which is a form of arthritis. Gout usually presents itself in men over the age of 40. It is caused by increased levels of uric acid which forms crystals in the joints. The body then attacks these crystals and the joints become inflamed.
There are natural treatments or therapies that you can use to help alleviate the pain. Believe is or not, for some people the best treatment is exercise. Low impact exercise, or exercises that improve flexibility and range of motion. Non-use of any effected joint is not recommended because you are then encouraging the stiffness. Keeping the joint moving and functional will help alleviate some of the pain. Many find water aerobics and swimming the most beneficial.
Exercise is also important in helping you control your weight. Added or extra body weight puts and undue stress on your joints which speeds that progress of arthritis and increases the amount of pain one experiences.
Consider adding glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin to your diet. These have both been shown to help decrease pain and improve the condition of the joint for arthritis suffers. The chondroitin draws fluid into the cartilage to help improve the shock absorbency and the glucosamine helps to build new cartilage with very few side effects.
There is hope and help for you to help alleviate the pain that you are in. Talk with your doctor about ways to improve your symptoms and be able to enjoy the life you want and deserve.
