subject: Chiropractor West Monroe La | Nutritional And Herbal Treatment For Arthritis [print this page] Like many pharmaceutical treatments, the drugs prescribed for arthritis-even those obtained over the counter-can often have worse effects on the body than the disease itself.
Doctors Can Be Prescription-Happy -
I think it's an issue that is beginning to be addressed in our healthcare world, but in the last 10 to 20 years especially, it's been quite a prevalent problem: the over-prescription of medications by doctors, the belief of physicians and patients alike that no doctor's visit is complete if the patient is not leaving with a piece of paper in hand, the name of some drug scribbled on it to be handed over to a pharmacist.
However, particularly in the case of elderly patients, enough consideration is not given to long-term well-being-or sometimes even to short-term. Doctors frequently don't know enough about geriatric medicine to fully realize the dangers to elderly patients of certain drugs; in one study, 70 percent of physicians who treated Medicare patients did not pass when tested on their knowledge of the appropriate medicines to prescribe to this population.
The patients themselves just want to feel better, and they trust that their doctors have their best interests in mind. And sure, the eight or more aspirin tablets they take every day could reduce pain and inflammation from their arthritis, but they can also cause stomach irritation, bleeding, and ulcers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to kidney impairment and irritation and hemorrhage in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and small intestine. Steroids make bones weak and thin.
The Alternative Treatments -
Well, if not from drugs, then, what relief can arthritis sufferers hope for? First of all, I would suggest chiropractic care in conjunction with physical therapy. However, along with this there are herbal supplements and dietary changes that will help.
Helpful Herbs -
As far as herbs go, alfalfa contains all of the minerals the body needs for bone formation. Kelp serves the same purpose in addition to assisting thyroid function. Boswellia reduces inflammation and restores blood vessels around inflamed connective tissue. Cat's claw, cayenne pepper, feverfew, and ginger are all good pain relievers, and ginger is also an anti-inflammatory.
Helpful Foods -
As far as nutrition is concerned, eat foods that contain sulfur, such as asparagus, eggs, garlic, and onions. Sulfur is necessary to repair and rebuild bone, cartilage, and connective tissue and also aids in calcium absorption. Fresh vegetables (particularly green leafy ones, because they have vitamin K), non-acidic fresh fruits, whole grains, oatmeal, brown rice, fish, soybean products, and avocadoes are all beneficial. Tart red cherries, fresh or frozen, can relieve inflammation and pain. Eat approximately 20 cherries daily for the best results.
Other good foods for arthritis sufferers contain the amino acid histidine, which removes excess metals from the body. People with arthritis tend to have high levels of copper and iron in their bodies. These foods would include rice, wheat, and rye. Fresh pineapple is important, because it contains the enzyme bromelain, which reduces inflammation.
Avoid fat, dairy, red meat, caffeine, citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco, and sugar. This may sound difficult, but I promise that once you start feeling better, you'll wonder how you ever lived any other way.
