The treatment of arthritis must start by following a good diet that helps keep the joints well lubricated. This can be done by taking enough calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C. Iron is also very important in the treatment of arthritis as it helps keep the bone marrow healthy. Avoiding coffee, tea and alcohol also help as these drinks can aggravate any inflammation. Omega 3 is good for the treatment of arthritis, and foods rich in omega 3 like fish are particularly good as they help oil the joints, thereby reducing the pain.
Arthritis affects women more than men and there, with millions of sufferers in America alone. Women need to start looking after their joints from an early age by making sure they have enough of calcium in their diet. Exercise is a helpful in the treatment of arthritis; all exercises relating to the treatment of arthritis must focus on the joints - the knees, elbows, wrists and ankles, as these areas are the most affected by pain. A daily brisk walk is best, though stretching exercises, especially in the morning, also help.
Massage is also very helpful in the treatment of arthritis as very often it eases the pain. Warm hip baths in which crushed mustard has been put in are also recommended. Two glasses of water sipped slowly first thing in the morning help circulation and helps alleviate the pain. Water must be drunk throughout the day as well, preferably eight glasses in total. This hydrates the body and is, in itself, a great treatment of arthritis (and is generally good for many of the body's functions). Just a little care and your arthritis pain can be kept under control.
Arthritis is a painful condition that affects about 46 million Americans. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which is often age related, although it can be the result of wear and tear on the joints from fitness or sports. In Australia, a type of arthritis, gout, took center stage in the media when the socceroo Harry Kewell was thought to be suffering from it in the 2006 World Cup.
Injury and age are not the only causes of arthritis however. Crohns sufferers often develop arthritis in one or more of their joints. This is a result of permeability in the gut wall due to damage from chronic inflammation. Bacteria and infections can also cause arthritis in other conditions. And rheumatoid arthritis, another common form, is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its' own cells.
What Can You Do About It?
There is no cure for most types of arthritis, and the focus is on pain management and slowing down the progression of it. Some types of arthritis, like septic arthritis, have a greater chance of clearing up when the main problem is addressed. This was my experience when I was suffering from crohns related arthritis.
The different types of arthritis will have different treatment strategies, and this is also true of arthritis natural remedies.
For those suffering from the types of arthritis that cause wear and tear on the joints, dietary changes may be suggested if a person is overweight. But more than the weight issue, this is a holistic approach that seeks to minimize cartilage degeneration by keeping the immune system at it's peak. It seeks to do this by providing optimum amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary elements. Additionally, some foods can increase inflammation in the body, and others can help reduce it. Fruit and vegetables, with their antioxidant activity, usually exert an anti-inflammatory effect.
Other natural arthritis remedies include the herb white willow, for pain management, and the supplement MSM. Both have an anti-inflammatory effect. MSM needs to be taken in large quantities to be effective in pain relief, but it does work very well. White willow can be taken as an oral supplement, and it can be mixed into a tincture prepared by a herbalist. It can also be used externally, mixed with aloe vera and rubbed onto the affected joints.
