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Effective Home Remedies for Arthritis Treatment
Arthritis Treatment – Arthritis is an inflammation of a single or multiple joints in the body. It has several types, each one having its causes and appropriate treatments. Osteoarthritis is the most common form. Other common ones may include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that cannot be cured with natural remedies. However, natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis can help in relieving the symptoms of joint pain and swelling to some extent. Since there are no side effects associated with home remedies for arthritis, you can try them at home.

However, remember that home remedies for arthritis are not a replacement for medical treatment and must always be coupled with medicines to manage arthritis pain and stiffness better.

Home Remedies for Arthritis Treatment

Here are some of the most effective home remedies for arthritis and joint pain:

1. Engage in light physical activity

If you have arthritis, you might avoid moving your joints because of the discomfort it causes. However, inactivity or lack of movement over time has a damaging effect on the joints. It can result in muscle weakness and restricted joint movement.

Light exercises and certain forms of light yoga are good home remedies for arthritis management. Mild stretching, walking, and swimming are a few simple exercises that can be done to strengthen your muscles and joints. Include them in your routine to naturally relieve joint pain and other arthritis symptoms.

2. Use hot and cold compressions

This home remedy for arthritis provides significant relief from the swelling of joints and arthritis pain. Hot compression is used for pain relief, loosening stiff joints, and relaxing muscles. You can use a heating pad or a warm towel for compression.

Cold compressions in the form of ice packs are ideal for reducing swelling in joints. However, you should not use them simultaneously and give a gap of a few hours between sessions.

3. Take a massage for arthritis

Body massages are known for being a good home remedy for arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and knee pain. They help to lower stress hormones and release mood-enhancing hormones. They also reduce stiffness and joint pain and improve joint function.

4. Maintain a healthy weight

Arthritis primarily affects the weight-bearing joints of the body. Extra body weight puts additional strain on these joints, like your knees and hips. This aggravates the pain. Losing extra body weight is one of the best home remedies for arthritis.

If you are overweight and suffer from arthritis, follow a healthy diet regime to maintain a healthy weight. This will help increase your mobility and reduce future damage to your bones.

5. Use Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have been extensively researched for their ability to treat rheumatoid arthritis because they have anti-inflammatory properties. According to studies, people who consume more fatty fish or take fish oil supplements experience less morning stiffness and joint pain and rarely need medication.

Thus, omega-3 fatty acids are suggested as a home remedy for arthritis. However, consult a doctor before adding a supplement to your diet to know if it will suit you.

6. Add turmeric or curcumin supplements to your diet

Studies have shown that turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Thus, it can be used as a natural remedy for joint pain. The active ingredient found in turmeric is a compound called curcumin, which may help reduce osteoarthritis pain without any side effects.

Some studies have shown that curcumin intake treats morning stiffness increases walking time, and reduces joint swelling in arthritis patients. You can safely add turmeric to your diet. You may also take turmeric or curcumin supplements made with piperine, which helps the body absorb curcumin more effectively. Nevertheless, it is important to consult your doctor before adding a curcumin supplement to your diet.

Conclusion

Home remedies for arthritis are the safest way to reduce the symptoms related to pain and joint stiffness. However, you should not rely on them completely as they don’t cure the condition. A home remedy for joint pain should not replace medication but can be safely used as an adjunct therapy to improve your condition. Always consult an orthopaedic doctor before using any form of natural remedy and starting an exercise regime

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FAQs on Arthritis Treatment

Q1. Which bones are first impacted by arthritis?

The tiny joints in the fingers and toes are usually the first to be affected. The most prevalent symptom is stiffness, especially in the morning.

Q2. Can arthritis go away naturally?

No, arthritis cannot go away naturally, but it is manageable. You can try home remedies for arthritis to help ease discomfort, improve your range of motion, and prevent further harm.

Q3. At what age does arthritis start?

Arthritis mostly begins between the ages of 40 and 60. It affects women more than men. Although a complete cure is not possible, medications are available that help to suppress an overactive immune system and reduce joint pain and swelling.

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August 18, 2023
Are there different types of arthritis?

If you’ve encountered an old person or if you are old, then you have probably heard about arthritis. If you haven’t, don’t worry. Here, we’ll discuss what arthritis is, its types, and how to manage it.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation or swelling. It occurs within joints. It is not a single disease. It is a term for swelling and degeneration in the joints due to degeneration. In addition to joint degeneration, it can also cause severe joint pain and stiffness.

Normally, arthritis damages the soft tissues surrounding the joint. This in turn causes pain during joint movement. The exact symptoms of arthritis differ based on its cause and type. It typically occurs with age but can result from trauma, poor lifestyle choices, etc.

It is a progressive condition. So, the symptoms often start worsening over time. In the initial stages, it is mild and easily manageable through medications. But in severe cases, most arthritis patients need to undergo surgery for correction.

Different types of arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common bone and joint issues prevalent in today’s world. There are more than 100 documented types of arthritis. This is based on their causes and symptoms. Of these, 5 types of arthritis are the most common. Let’s discuss these types of arthritis and how they can affect you.

The most common types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis (OA)

It is also known as degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. It is the most common type of arthritis. It generally affects the hands, hips, and knees.

It can also occur due to improperly managed fractures or trauma in the joint. During OA, the cartilage supporting the joint starts breaking down. This causes stress on the underlying bone.

Its symptoms are joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, along with a severe inability to perform joint movements.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune condition. In this, your body’s immune system starts attacking the healthy joint tissues by error. This can further lead to painful inflammation of the joints.

RA frequently affects multiple joints at the same time. Some of the most commonly affected joints from RA are the hands, wrists, and knees.

It is signified by symptoms like chronic pain, joint instability, joint deformity, weakness, etc. In some cases, it can even spread to other organs like the lungs, heart, and eyes.

• Childhood Arthritis

Childhood or juvenile arthritis is another type of autoimmune disorder. Its exact cause is unknown. But due to its similarity to rheumatoid arthritis, it is also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

It causes severe pain in the joints, along with symptoms like joint swelling, fever, stiffness, rashes on the body, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc. If not managed properly, it can cause permanent damage to the joints, even making simple activities like walking difficult.

• Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a combination of psoriasis and arthritis, i.e., patients have inflammation in their skin and joints. It is most commonly associated with patchy and scaly skin, with raised red and white inflamed areas.

Normally, signs of psoriasis appear before signs of arthritis. It can affect virtually any joint, i.e., knee, spine, elbow, etc. It generally affects people between 30 to 40 years of age, but it can affect children too in some cases.

• Gout

Gout is an inflammatory type of arthritis. It is incurable. It occurs due to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. If gout keeps recurring, it eventually leads to gouty arthritis, i.e., joint degeneration.

It commonly affects only one joint at a time. It normally occurs in the feet (big toe joint, ankle, etc.) The symptoms of gout can get worse sometimes, called flares, and can recede sometimes on their own, called remission.

You can manage it using medications and self-management strategies.

How can arthritis be managed?

You can manage arthritis by following the given tips:

• Manage your lifestyle. Take your medicines as prescribed. Manage your stress levels. Try to improve your mood.

• Be physically active. It will help with your symptoms. It will also boost your mood, and slow down joint degeneration. It will reduce further risk of chronic diseases.

• Talk to your doctor. They will actively help you manage your pain and make sure you get the best treatment possible.

• Don’t stress out your joints. Try to make sure you only perform light activities and maintain a healthy weight.

With arthritis, it is very important to take proper care. If you have already been diagnosed, then you probably know how important it is to take control of the condition in time. Follow these steps to manage arthritis and lead a healthy life.

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FAQs

What is the most painful type of arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most painful type of arthritis. It affects the soft tissues and organs surrounding the joint. It causes inflammation there.

Can arthritis be cured completely?

There is no actual cure for arthritis. It occurs due to wear in the joints. But it can be effectively managed via medicines, physiotherapy, and in severe cases, surgery.

What is the main cause of arthritis?

Arthritis mainly occurs due to natural wear and tear in the joints. However, it can also occur due to autoimmune disorders and certain inflammatory conditions. The exact cause differs from patient to patient.

August 18, 2023
What is the fastest way to cure arthritis? | FAQ about arthritis
What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a very common condition characterized by swelling and tenderness in the joints. People affected may have stiffness and pain in the joints that worsens with age.

Arthritis can affect everyone , even children. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, the symptoms can vary.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are often used for arthritis treatment. However, you can alleviate the symptoms by natural methods as well.

Types of arthritis

The Three Most Common Types of Arthritis | Diagnosis – FAQ about Arthritis

There is hard tissue covering the ends of your bones near the joints. Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the breakdown of this slippery tissue. When the cartilage gets roughened, the body goes into repair mode, resulting in any of the following:
- Osteophytes or tiny bits of extra bone can develop at the end of the joint.
- The thick fluid present in the joint can increase.
- The joint may lose shape as the joint capsule stretches.
1) Rheumatoid arthritis

This condition occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation. Extra fluids and blood are sent to the area to fight infection. This results in the following:
- Painful joint movement.
- The joints can get damaged due to chemicals in the fluid.
- The extra fluid in the joints stretches the joint capsule.
- The chemicals in the fluid can cause irritation and pain.
- When too much uric acid is in your blood, crystals can form, causing gout. This common and painful form of arthritis is characterized by swelling and intense pain in the affected area.
Medications are the best option for rheumatoid arthritis cure.

2) Arthritis treatment

A few lifestyle changes and the right diet can help you lead a more comfortable and pain-free life, depending on the severity of your arthritis.

-Weight management

The more you weigh, the more weight your joints have to support. This makes weight management crucial for the treatment of arthritis. So, how does weight reduction help your arthritis treatment?
- Your mobility increases as there is less weight to carry.
- The pain decreases.
- You can prevent further damage to the joints.
- You can increase activity.
- Exercises such as cycling, walking, swimming or water aerobics help manage weight, strengthen your joints and give your joints flexibility. The feel-good factor after exercise also helps in arthritis cure.
-Alternate hot and cold compresses
- Hot and cold treatments are popular ways to ease the pain of arthritis.
- Forms of hot treatment such as hot baths, warm showers, moist heating pads, or an electric blanket are good treatments for arthritis.
- Forms of cold treatment, such as cold packs, can reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with arthritis. A bag of frozen peas can do the trick if you don’t have an ice pack. Wrap the ice or frozen peas in a towel before application for the treatment of arthritis.
-Ancient Chinese acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment that uses fine needles to remove blockages in the body. These needles improve the flow of qi to reduce pain. However, it’s best to consult a licensed acupuncturist for your treatment. This is considered a natural cure for arthritis in the fingers and other joints.

-Healthy diet

A diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole foods and nuts can go a long way in arthritis cure. A plant-based diet reduces inflammation as the antioxidants eliminate the free radicals. In comparison, red meat and processed food, excess sugar and salt aggravate the inflammation in arthritis patients.

Risk factors of arthritis

What are the risk factors of arthritis?
- Family history
- Age
- Women are more likely to get arthritis than men
- Obesity increases the risk of arthritis
Arthritis can be treated

While there is no cure for arthritis, treatment and lifestyle changes can give you a lot of relief from pain and also increase your mobility. For the best results, consider consulting your doctor as soon as possible. At times, the right medication and lifestyle changes can make arthritis easier to manage.

Know more about your Medicines at Medkart, which is an online pharmacy platform that makes buying medicines convenient & cost-effective. To place your orders, download the app today!

FAQs related to arthritis

1. Does meditation help manage arthritis pain?

A great way to deal with arthritis pain is meditation. The relaxation methods reduce stress and thereby lower pain and inflammation. Studies have shown the benefits of meditation for the treatment of arthritis.

2. Is turmeric beneficial for arthritis?

Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. This can help with the pain associated with arthritis.

3. Which herbal supplements can help reduce joint pain?

Herbs such as ginkgo, stinging nettle, devil’s claw, Boswellia, and bromelain are said to be good for the treatment of arthritis.
August 18, 2023
The Three Most Common Types of Arthritis | Diagnosis – FAQ about Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints. Different types of arthritis affect different joints, bones, tendons and cartilage. It mainly affects the elderly, but youngsters can also be affected.

What does one experience?

Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, redness, swelling, soreness, and stiffness, along with reduced joint movement. Symptoms can vary in severity and frequency. This can make simple tasks challenging. Arthritis can also cause permanent joint changes. It can affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, and skin.

Why does Arthritis happens?

The primary cause of different types of arthritis is weakened cartilage. This can be a result of genes and some environmental influences.

How is Arthritis diagnosed?

Your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory results. X-rays. Investigations like a CT or MRI also may be suggested.

What are the different types of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, juvenile arthritis, and infectious arthritis are some of the different types of arthritis.

Types of arthritis

1) Osteoarthritis (OA):

OA is the most commonly noted type. It is an age-related degenerative, progressive joint disease where bone and cartilage are affected. This leads to joint stiffness and discomfort. Types of joint pain can vary according to the joint affected. The joints affected are the hand, spine, knee, foot and hip.

Who is at risk for OA?

People who have joint injuries, overuse joints, women, who are over 50 years old, obese, and have a family history of arthritis

What are the treatment options?

Even though there is no cure, pain medications, moderate physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week), physiotherapy, weight control, and avoiding joint damage can all assist. Surgery is also an option.

2) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

This type of arthritis is brought on by an immune system attack on the lining of the joint. Bones, cartilage, and other tissues may be affected. Two types of rheumatoid arthritis exist –

• One which affects adults – commences in middle age. It is prevalent in the elderly and women.

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis – affects children and younger teenagers

Arthritis symptoms include discomfort, oedema, fatigue, fever, loss of joint function, and appetite. These could include a symmetrical progression pattern affecting various joints. Pain and stiffness, especially in the morning or after prolonged rest, may last for at least 30 minutes. Symptoms can last for years with periods of worsening and remission. This may be accompanied by anaemia, dry mouth and eyes, depression, and anxiety.

What causes RA?

Genetic, environmental factors and changes in certain sex hormones

How can RA patients improve their quality of life?

Early diagnosis, treatment and adequate rest are crucial. Moderate physical activity is also a must. Pain medications and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs may be advised.

3) Psoriatic arthritis (PA)

Of the different types of arthritis, this type is seen in people with a skin condition called psoriasis. Here, the skin becomes painful, red and scaly.

It impacts people in their 30s to 50s frequently. The wrists, knees, ankles, heel, and lower back all exhibit the sporadic type of joint pain, discomfort, swelling, and red, warm joints. It involves joints at the ends of the fingers and toes. Swollen and sausage-like fingers and/or toes are a possibility. It is possible to see signs of fatigue, eye infections, and nail pitting. Nails and the nail bed might detach.

What causes PA?

It is unknown why PA develops. The condition may have both genetic and environmental factors.

How is PA treated?

No cure exists for this. So early diagnosis is important. Painkillers and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medications are administered.

To sum it up

You are not alone if you have arthritis. There are 210 million people with different types of arthritis in India. https://www.arthritis-india.com/

The key to management is early diagnosis. Don’t overlook any type of joint pain. Lifestyle modifications, a balanced diet, medications, surgery, exercise, and therapies all help in making life easier with arthritis. Buying medicines is now simpler. With Medkart, you get the best prices and doorstep delivery. Visit Medkart today.

FAQs related Arthritis

1. I have joint pain; does this mean I have arthritis?

Ans: Most cases of joint pain and stiffness are caused by one of the different types of arthritis. However, joint pain can occur owing to many other causes. Injury to the joint is the most common.

2. How do I proceed if I believe I have arthritis?

Ans: If you have any symptoms of arthritis, such as pain, stiffness, or swelling in or around one or more of your joints, consult your doctor immediately.

3. How does exercise help with arthritis?

Ans: Exercise helps mobilize the joints and keep them supple, thus reducing swelling. Consult your doctor before starting.

4. Can I prevent arthritis?

Ans: Although if you cannot stop arthritis from developing, lifestyle modifications can lower the risk

5. What can happen if I don’t take early treatment for arthritis?

Ans: If left untreated, it can result in serious and frequently irreversible damage to your joints, as well as to your skin, organs, and other parts of your body

August 18, 2023
What is arthritis? What are its symptoms and its treatment?
What is arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation (swelling) of the joints due to multiple reasons. The tissue present in your joints aids the proper functioning of joints and prevents friction between bones. Any damage to the tissue at joints results in inflammation. Common arthritis symptoms are pain, redness, difficulty in movement and stiffness of joints.

About 15% of the population in India has arthritis. Arthritis symptoms are more common in women. People who are more active physically have fewer chances of having arthritis. The chances of experiencing arthritis symptoms increase with an increase in age.

Types of Arthritis and Their Causes

Commonly occurring types of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Juvenile arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
Arthritis Symptoms

The most commonly occurring signs and symptoms of arthritis include the following:
- Pain and tenderness in the joints
- Stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- Swelling or redness in the affected joints
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joints
- A grinding sensation when moving the affected joints
- Pain in the ankles when moving after sitting for a while
- Feeling of numbness in affected joints
Apart from this, some patients may experience nerve pain due to arthritis; this is similar to a stinging sensation. However, this is less common than the above mentioned symptoms.

Treatment of Arthritis

Treatment for different types of arthritis involves the use of the following medications:
1. Analgesics: These are medications that help reduce your pain.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): They reduce your pain as well as inflammation.
3. Steroids: They help reduce inflammation.
4. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These drugs help suppress one’s immune system, which then does not attack and damage the joints.
5. Topical creams: These creams help reduce your feeling of pain.
Patients should seek advice from a medical practitioner or doctor if they opt for a treatment option. Know more at Medkart Medicines.

Complementary Therapies for Arthritis

Complementary therapies are broadly classified into the following types:

1. Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional therapy includes the following:
- Special diets, such as fruits, fish, dairy products, etc., help maintain good health. They also help in reducing or maintaining proper body weight. This partly reduces the burden on joint/s.
- Dietary supplements like dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), methylsulphonylmethane (MSM), S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), glucosamine and chondroitin work in managing arthritis symptoms.
- Probiotics are a good option for reducing arthritis symptoms.
2. Psychological Therapy

Various psychological therapies are suggested for arthritis, like hypnosis, meditation, music therapies, relaxation therapies, etc. They help in relieving pain and relaxing.

3. Physical Therapy

Physical therapies help improve your strength, flexibility and movement of joints and improve your ability to use the damaged joint. They include the following:
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture proves considerably helpful in relieving arthritis pain.
- Massage: Massage therapy helps in improving pain and mobility.
4. Recreational Therapy

Therapies like tai chi, yoga, dance and art therapies are included here.
- Yoga: Yoga helps improve your strength, physical function, flexibility, relaxation and movement of joints.
- Tai chi: It improves pain, physical function and stiffness. It also reduces depression and provides a better quality of life.
5. Mindful Consumption

Mindful eating is an alternative solution to treating arthritis. It involves training the mind to recognize physical cues, experiences and cravings while eating your food. It helps control your eating habits, leading to weight loss and reducing unnecessary food consumption.

Multiple medications are available like analgesics, NSAIDs, steroids and topical creams, to manage arthritis and DMARDs to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Along with medications, various complementary treatments help in the better management of your arthritis symptoms. Make sure you take your medications timely and explore complementary treatments.

To read more informative articles on arthritis, visit Medkart today!

FAQs related to Arthritis

1. Is arthritis curable?

No, arthritis cannot be completely cured, but diagnosis and treatment at the right time can help manage the arthritis symptoms well and reduce its rate of progression.

2. What are the symptoms of arthritis?

As arthritis symptoms, you may usually observe pain in the affected joints, inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

3. What are the treatments for arthritis?

Arthritis treatment involves a combination of therapies. Along with medication, physical, psychological and nutritional therapies are also included. The treatment approaches focus on reducing pain, improving mobility and reducing joint damage.
August 18, 2023
Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Do you or a loved one experience stiff and painful joints? Does the stiffness affect your movement? Stiffness and tenderness of joints are symptoms of arthritis. Timely medical treatment and therapy will help control your pain and improve your strength and mobility.

Arthritis is a disorder of the joints. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, which makes movement difficult. Although there is no cure for arthritis, early detection will help you find relief from the symptoms.

Read on to learn more about arthritis, types of arthritis, and arthritis treatment.

What are the types of arthritis?

The term arthritis describes several joint conditions. The common types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Ankylosing spondylitis

• Gout

• Psoriatic arthritis

• Juvenile arthritis

What causes arthritis?

Factors that increase the risk of arthritis are:

Heredity: If your parents have the disorder, you, too, may develop arthritis.

Obesity: Excess weight puts pressure on your knees, hips and spine. So, people with obesity are at a higher risk of getting arthritis.

Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can cause weight gain. It also causes weak muscles and joints. This further increases the chances of stiffness, fractures and decreased mobility in your limbs, leading to arthritis.

Arthritis causes depend upon the type of arthritis.

• Osteoarthritis: This condition occurs due to the wear and tear of the joint cartilage from long-term stress. Cartilage is the tissue that protects your joints and bones. But, with prolonged pressure on the joints, the cartilage gets damaged and affects your movement.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: It occurs when the immune system attacks the membrane surrounding the joint.

• Gout: This condition occurs due to excess uric acid in your body.

• Fibromyalgia: It causes pain all over the body, leading to sleep problems, exhaustion, and mental and emotional distress.

• Childhood arthritis: Also called Juvenile Arthritis, it affects children and causes permanent damage to the joints.

• Lupus: It causes inflammation in the joints apart from stiffness, tenderness and swelling.

Other causes of arthritis are:

• An activity, like a job or a sport, requires you to put pressure on your joints due to repeated movements.

• Autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks the lining of your joints.

• Viral infections where the infection causes pain, inflammation and swelling in your joints.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Arthritis symptoms can be mild or severe, depending upon the type of arthritis. These are:

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Redness

• Swelling

• Tenderness

• Decrease range of motion

What are the arthritis treatment options?

Arthritis treatment consists of medications and therapy that help manage your symptoms. Your doctor will recommend an arthritis treatment after studying your laboratory and imaging test results. They will create a treatment program that helps relieve your symptoms, improves your joint function, and suits you best.

Arthritis treatment consists of-

Medications:

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): These relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

• Steroids, like corticosteroids: These medications reduce inflammation, slow joint damage, and relieve pain.

• DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs): These drugs slow the progress of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints from further damage.

Physical therapy:

Physical therapy helps improve your strength and your mobility. Your therapist will help you learn to adjust your daily activities to reduce the pain and discomfort.

Surgery:

Your doctor will suggest surgery only if you don’t get relief from the medications and therapy and your arthritis worsens. Surgery includes:

• Joint repair: This surgery involves smoothening or realigning the joints to lessen the pain and improve mobility.

• Joint replacement: This procedure is used for hips and knees. It consists of removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial one.

• Fusion: This procedure is used for smaller joints, such as the wrist, fingers, and ankles. It consists of removing the ends of the two bones in a joint and locking them together to help them heal into one fixed unit.

What precautions can we take to reduce the risk of arthritis?

You can reduce your risk of arthritis by:

• Staying fit with regular exercise to keep the joints flexible.

• Eating healthy fats, like Omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats found in olive oil, nuts and seeds

• Maintaining a healthy body weight.

• Quitting smoking.

• Reducing the risk of joint injuries by wearing protective gear while playing sports and lifting weights with the knees and hips, not the back.

Home remedies for arthritis

You can try the following home remedies for arthritis to control the symptoms:

• Exercise regularly to strengthen the muscles around the joints and improve joint flexibility.

• Try hot and cold therapy. This includes warm showers to help relieve the pain and stiffness and ice packs to reduce swelling and inflammation.

• Get a body massage to improve blood circulation and relieve pain.

• Practice yoga to keep the joints supple and improve flexibility.

• Follow a plant-based diet for its antioxidant properties that help fight inflammation.

• Include turmeric in your cooking. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce arthritic pain and inflammation.

Myths and facts

Here are some common myths about arthritis and facts that can help you understand the condition better.

Myth: Arthritis occurs only in older people.

Fact: The risk of arthritis increases with age. However, 3 out of 5 people who have arthritis are below 65 years. Arthritis also affects children and teenagers in the form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Myth: Joints with arthritis need ample rest.

Fact: Lack of exercise can weaken muscles and increase pain and stiffness. Regular exercise is a crucial aspect of an arthritis treatment plan. It helps maintain weight, reduces stiffness and pain, and improves strength and mobility. You may try yoga, walking, or cycling to improve physical and cardiovascular health and well-being.

Myth: Arthritis can’t be managed.

Fact: Timely diagnosis and treatment can help manage the disorder, relieve the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Staying physically active, maintaining your weight, following a plant-based diet, medications, and therapy can help you manage pain and stiffness and lead a normal life.

Takeaway

Medical treatment, changes in lifestyle, and adjusting daily activities to help ease tasks will help you manage your arthritis better. Home remedies also prove to be helpful. However, please consult your doctor before buying herbal supplements to reduce joint pain and stiffness.

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August 18, 2023