Arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory joint disease that affects the cartilage and bone around joints. It has different symptoms and causes, but one of its biggest draws is how prevalent it is in the United States – with 40 million people living with arthritis today, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Read about what this means for our future mobility and get tips on how to live better with arthritis.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a group of common diseases that cause the joints to become painful and stiff, leading to a decrease in mobility. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. If you are suffering from joint pain as a result of excess inflammation and swelling, it could be considered arthritis. Some factors that contribute to this ailment are age, genetics, obesity, and poor nutrition.
Arthritis Stats
There are over 100 million people aged 50 years or older in the United States. This generation is expected to suffer from more than half of that population developing arthritis by 2030.
If you’ve had joint pain for a long time, things can seem pretty hopeless because there does not seem to be anything that works well. However, you need to know that there are many proven products on the market which will help you improve your condition if you take them regularly and use them as directed. There are many arthritis pain management products that you can use if you have joint pain, such as:
• Anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil or Motrin. These drugs provide quick relief of joint discomfort, but they only work temporarily. They may be needed while you are working through the healing process with other arthritis treatments.
• Diet and nutritional supplements which help to reduce inflammation in the body.
• Osteoarthritis sufferers should take extra calcium and vitamin D to help stimulate bone growth by increasing the production of osteocalcin, a hormone that promotes bone formation.
• Joint support products, such as glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate (to start with), can help to decrease the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
• An anti-inflammatory diet is important for those who have osteoarthritis because it will help to control inflammation in the body so that it doesn’t become chronic. A diet rich in raw foods high in antioxidants, such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage), kale, raw cacao and other nuts and seeds.
• A diet rich in cold-water fish offers a well-balanced source of anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids. In addition to helping to maintain healthy joints, these fats are also important for brain health.
• People with osteoarthritis should avoid alcohol completely, or drink in moderation if they choose to include alcoholic beverages in their diets. Alcohol causes inflammation of the joints in the body, and can make osteoarthritis worse.
• Physical activity, either through exercise or by walking, is important for people with osteoarthritis. If you have pain, low back pain or hip pain you may want to consider increasing your physical activity.
• Pain killers including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen and aspirin shouldn’t be used as a first choice relief from the pain associated with osteoarth ritis. This is because it blocks the production of a hormone called prostaglandin which helps protect the joints.
• If you have osteoarthritis and your doctor has prescribed painkillers, make sure you take them as prescribed to prevent side effects such as stomach bleeding.
• Get yourself checked out for sleep apnoea if you snore loudly at night, or are waking up during the night and not being able to get back to sleep (this may be your only symptom – it could be more serious than you think).
• If you have swelling in your lower limbs, particularly in the morning when you get out of bed, this could be due to fluid retention (edema). Anti-inflammatories such as naproxen and ibuprofen are not appropriate for this condition.
• If you have very painful joints or muscles and stiffness during the night, try taking a hot bath before bed to help relax the affected area. By doing this regularly, it will also increase your chances of falling asleep.
• If you feel anxious or agitated during the night, try going for a short walk or doing some light exercise (lifting your legs up and down in the air if you can). This will get the blood flowing to your brain through your central nervous system, which will help you relax.
Causes of Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease that affects about one in five adults in the United States. It causes inflammation, pain, and harm to joints. If left untreated, arthritis can lead to disability or death. It is important for people with arthritis to remain active and avoid getting sedentary because staying still too long can cause joint damage.
Effects of arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function. It would be fair to say that arthritis has affected the lives of many adults and children. As arthritis affects more people, it can become a serious problem for adults who want to enjoy their normal lifestyles. For parents with small children, it’s even more important to protect their mobility and independence as they grow up.
How to prevent or reduce the severity of symptoms
If you often find yourself experiencing joint pain and stiffness or the need to use special devices such as a cane, wheelchair, crutch, or walker due to arthritis, then you know how difficult it can be. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help alleviate your symptoms. Rather than going for a visit to your doctor every time you experience pain, try self-care and treatment alternatives. Massage therapy and yoga can ease aches and pains in your joints by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation. Get up and get moving! If you have underlying conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, take advantage of medical treatments so you can live pain-free!
Alternatives to the Arthritis Diet
A diet high in foods that cause inflammation might seem like a good idea for arthritis. However, it puts you at risk for negative health effects such as heart disease and diabetes. To avoid these risks, you need to eat plenty of low-inflammation foods such as vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.
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Durga Awasthi 
Health News