An Introduction to Arthritis
by Tara Smith
Did you find it difficult to get moving this morning? Have you noticed that your joints are painful after a mild workout? Are you beginning to wonder if you have a bit of arthritis? And what should you do about it?
One of the first symptoms of arthritis is pain and stiffness- especially in the morning and after exercise. There are several different types of arthritis. In this article, the two most common types will be explained- osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis ? this is caused when the surrounding cartilage, due to it wasting away, no longer protects the bones. This can happen either through injury, old age or simple wear and tear. Also known as degenerative arthritis, this usually affects the knees, back and hips, although the knuckles of your hands can be affected too. This type of arthritis is most common amongst people over the age of sixty, and can start from age forty onwards.
Rheumatoid arthritis ? this can happen at any time of your life, even childhood. It's a defect in the immune system that causes this kind of affliction, and is a result of your body's defences attacking the synovial membrane by wrongly identifying it as a foreign object within your body. When this happens, your joints swell and cause cartilage damage as well as tissue damage around the joint itself. It can also be caused by a poor diet, stress or even be hereditary.
Arthritis is a pretty old disease and much research has been done and is still being done to find a cure. This ongoing research is financed by The Arthritis Society. They track research trials and the latest breakthroughs on the medical front. They publish these latest finding on their website, as well as in their newsletter. If you have arthritis, you might want to research their website.
If you are diagnosed with arthritis, the good news is that there are various methods of treatment available to both reduce the spread of the affliction, and help you keep mobile whilst being treated. If you're unsure about any of the treatment that is available, as well as discussing with your GP you may also wish to look at the website of The Arthritis Society, as it's an excellent guide and can help explain many medical terms in easy to understand dialect.
You can reduce inflammation through certain foods in a natural way. For instance, a daily dose of 20 tart red cherries or fresh pineapple can relieve pain and inflammation. If you add asparagus, eggs, garlic and onions to your diet, you will be able to help your body repair and rebuild bone and cartilage. Other beneficial foods include leafy green vegetables, non-acidic fresh fruits, oatmeal, brown rice and fish.
Allergies can trigger inflammation, and aggravate arthritis symptoms. Many sufferers of neck and back pain have reported relief when they eliminated certain foods that they were allergic to. Regular, moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming is important for reducing pain and slowing the deterioration of joints. Losing excess weight is also beneficial. When participating in any strenuous physical activity, it is important to incorporate frequent rest periods. This will allow you to keep your strength, without damaging your joints.
Finally, when you see the first symptoms of arthritis, make an appointment with your doctor to find out for sure. Don't ignore it or wait for surer signs. You might wait too long; the sooner you take care of your joints the better.
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