A healthy musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones and joints, is necessary for movement and activity, which are vital to overall well being and quality of life. Arthritis compromises this system, causing pain and limited joint movement. By understanding the causes of arthritis, as well as ways to ease the symptoms of arthritis, an in home caregiver can prevent unnecessary arthritis and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle even after arthritis has set in.
Types of Arthritis
Different forms of arthritis have different causes. These can range from inheritance to injury and infections. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is caused by age and a lifetime of wear and tear. It is usually slowly progressive, but still can cause physical deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis can be severely disfiguring and causes much pain. It is an autoimmune disease (a disease in which your body's immune system attacks itself). In most cases, it is much less common than osteoarthritis, and attacks joints in the wrists, hands, feet and ankles. It can come and go, and can strike at any age, but it most often develops in people between the ages of 20 and 50, and is more common in women than men. Early treatment is crucial to reduce deformity.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Symptoms of arthritis can present themselves in a variety of ways, so it's important to be aware of your body. Some of the more direct and obvious symptoms of arthritis are joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling, warmth or redness around a joint, and limited movement/function of joints. Often, arthritis will affect parts of the body other than joints. Talk to your doctor if you're experiencing fever, gland swelling, weight loss and fatigue or general feelings of illness.
Arthritis is a potentially debilitating disease, but there are ways to cope outside of modern medicine. Eating right, herbal supplements and exercise can all help minimize the pain. Please consult a professional before beginning any holistic treatment, as herbs, exercise and foods affect each person's body differently!
Dietary Recommendations from Arthritis Today
Incorporate fish, kiwifruit, flax seed and a variety of nuts in your diet to reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of Omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
Whole-grains, fish, nuts and legumes all are great sources of selenium, a mineral with antioxidant properties.
Eggs, whole milk and fish are all great sources of vitamin D, which may prevent the development and/or progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
Herbal Remedies Recommended by the John Hopkins Arthritis Center
Fish oil is said to have anti-inflammatory properties, and since our diets are generally low in Omega 3s, it's often helpful to use supplements.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are different, but are often found together in supplements. These are naturally found in joint tissue, and have been found in studies surrounding arthritis.
Exercise that Minimizes the Effects of Arthritis
Yoga not only encourages weight loss, decreasing the amount of weight put on joints, but also promotes relaxation and builds strength two very important pieces to overall well being.
Walking reduces stiffness and helps get joints moving. The cardio workout walking provides is also valuable for total health.
Water aerobics provides a low-impact workout, saving joints from fatigue while strengthening the muscles around them.
