Arthritis is the stiffness or inflammation of one or more joints in the body. It is not a single condition and there are several different types. It affects people of all ages, but some forms of arthritis are more common in older people.
A joint is where two or more bones such as the fingers, knees and shoulders meet. The joint holds the bones in place and allows them to move freely within limits.
Arthritis can make life tough by causing pain and making it harder to get about. The symptoms can vary from person to person. A few kinds of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both are long-term conditions. However, with the right treatment and approach you can manage the pain.
Usually, painful joints and arthritis will be treated with oral painkillers such as paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or any anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these are now being discouraged following concerns that they may affect one’s liver and kidney, as well as increasing the long-term risk of heart attack or stroke.
This does not mean that one needs to put up with joint pain in one’s life because there are now variety of topical medications and supplements that can help ease the pain. Some of them include:
- Substance such as eucalyptus, capsicum or mental which helps to block the transmission of pain signals from your joint.
- There is the comfrey ointment which contains the comfrey root extract. The extract contains active ingredients that promote tissue regeneration, damp down inflammation, and reduce pain.
- Glucosamine gel acts as a biological signal to suppress inflammation and switch on the repair mechanism. Research shows that glucosamine can significantly reduce the pain on the knee within four weeks.
Supplements can also be used to improve joint pains than just about any other health conditions. Some of the supplements include:
- Omega 3 fish oil
- Collagen
- Vitamin C
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin.
Studies have also shown that the use of turmeric, rose hip and ginger help to reduce inflammation and regular exercise will strengthen the muscles around the affected joint and also help keep it flexible.
Swimming is one of the good exercises for people with arthritis because it does not put any pressure on the joints.
In addition to all these suggestions, you can also make some healthy lifestyle changes that may help you manage arthritis and thereby live without the pain.
