Considering the treatment of arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis) it is important that we remind ourselves of the possible
causes and risk factors of these diseases.
Arthritis, as we had found out is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints, characterised by pain, swelling, stiffness and inflammation of the affected joint.
I mentioned that the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown according to orthodox medicine. Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of a joint caused by the immune system of an individual attacking the synovium and cartilage of a joint as though it were a foreign body.
Why the immune system does so is not quite clear but it has been suggested that free radicals attaching themselves to these tissues in the joint may be a possible cause.
I also said that dehydration, according to alternative medicine practitioners, is a cause of arthritis. Inside the joint are the two ends of the bones covered by cartilage.
These two cartilages are separated from each other by a thin film of water by, which they glide frictionlessly against themselves. When the level of the water falls below what is optimum for that joint the cartilages begin to rub against one another with some friction.
This is the beginning of arthritis. Injury to the joint is a frequent cause of osteoarthritis in younger individuals.
There are other physical and natural factors that are considered risk factors for osteoarthritis and these are, age, gender, obesity, heredity and wrong alignment of the bones.
Management of arthritis
By far the most frequently seen cause of arthritis is dehydration. This is so because human beings do not drink sufficient water daily. I believe we are all guilty of this and the effect of this starts at an early age, say 20 years. This continues for another 20 years and ache in a joint continues to increase.
At these initial stage the pain is a warning sign that all is not well with the joint. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily and maintaining it at that level would have ensured a complete restoration of the joint.
Alas, this is not usually the case and we have the condition worsening, the joint becomes more inflammed, swollen and stiff, as movement of the joint becomes limited due to the pain and swelling.
Food products, herbs and supplements in the management of arthritis
Glucosamine is a non-vitamin, non-mineral amino sugar, which supports the structure and function of joints. As a dietary supplement it is targeted at patients with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine helps to reduce the rate of degeneration of cartilage. It also relieves the pain of arthritis and improves the mobility of the joint.
There are different preparations of this supplement such as glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamins sulfate is the more effective form because it is better absorbed than any other. Some researchers have suggested that glucosamine sulfate should be used in combination with chondroitin for better effect.
Chondroitin sulfate is a natural component of the structure of cartilage providing much of the resistance of cartilage to pressure.
Chondroitin sulfate as a dietary supplement reduces the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
As a component of cartilage, chondroitin slows down its degeneration and indirectly, the progression of arthritis.
Indeed, chondroitin has been said to be involved in the formation and replacement of cartilage. It enhances the retention of water and maintains the frictionless lubrication between the cartilages in the joint.
Chondroitin may also be involved in inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down cartilage, preventing the destruction of same.
Other supplements found to be useful in the treatment of arthritis are:
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the bone. In the elderly who are more prone to arthritis, absorption of calcium is reduced and calcium is therefore leached from the bones for other functions such as muscle contraction and the beating of the heart.
If this condition persists, it can lead to osteoporosis, which can make the arthritis worse. To prevent this and provide sufficient calcium for strengthening the bones, calcium has to be taken as a supplement and from food products.
Vitamin D3, promotes bone health and also helps in the absorption of calcium. It increases availability of calcium for the integrity of the bone and health of the joint.
Turmeric, has curcumin as its active form. It is a root from which curry powder is gotten. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that have been found to be useful in the treatment of arthritis. It also reduces the pain associated with arthritis and can decrease the stiffness of the joint, improving the mobility of the joint by so doing.
Arthritis, as we had found out is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints, characterised by pain, swelling, stiffness and inflammation of the affected joint.
I mentioned that the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown according to orthodox medicine. Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of a joint caused by the immune system of an individual attacking the synovium and cartilage of a joint as though it were a foreign body.
Why the immune system does so is not quite clear but it has been suggested that free radicals attaching themselves to these tissues in the joint may be a possible cause.
I also said that dehydration, according to alternative medicine practitioners, is a cause of arthritis. Inside the joint are the two ends of the bones covered by cartilage.
These two cartilages are separated from each other by a thin film of water by, which they glide frictionlessly against themselves. When the level of the water falls below what is optimum for that joint the cartilages begin to rub against one another with some friction.
This is the beginning of arthritis. Injury to the joint is a frequent cause of osteoarthritis in younger individuals.
There are other physical and natural factors that are considered risk factors for osteoarthritis and these are, age, gender, obesity, heredity and wrong alignment of the bones.
Management of arthritis
By far the most frequently seen cause of arthritis is dehydration. This is so because human beings do not drink sufficient water daily. I believe we are all guilty of this and the effect of this starts at an early age, say 20 years. This continues for another 20 years and ache in a joint continues to increase.
At these initial stage the pain is a warning sign that all is not well with the joint. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily and maintaining it at that level would have ensured a complete restoration of the joint.
Alas, this is not usually the case and we have the condition worsening, the joint becomes more inflammed, swollen and stiff, as movement of the joint becomes limited due to the pain and swelling.
Food products, herbs and supplements in the management of arthritis
Glucosamine is a non-vitamin, non-mineral amino sugar, which supports the structure and function of joints. As a dietary supplement it is targeted at patients with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine helps to reduce the rate of degeneration of cartilage. It also relieves the pain of arthritis and improves the mobility of the joint.
There are different preparations of this supplement such as glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamins sulfate is the more effective form because it is better absorbed than any other. Some researchers have suggested that glucosamine sulfate should be used in combination with chondroitin for better effect.
Chondroitin sulfate is a natural component of the structure of cartilage providing much of the resistance of cartilage to pressure.
Chondroitin sulfate as a dietary supplement reduces the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
As a component of cartilage, chondroitin slows down its degeneration and indirectly, the progression of arthritis.
Indeed, chondroitin has been said to be involved in the formation and replacement of cartilage. It enhances the retention of water and maintains the frictionless lubrication between the cartilages in the joint.
Chondroitin may also be involved in inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down cartilage, preventing the destruction of same.
Other supplements found to be useful in the treatment of arthritis are:
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the bone. In the elderly who are more prone to arthritis, absorption of calcium is reduced and calcium is therefore leached from the bones for other functions such as muscle contraction and the beating of the heart.
If this condition persists, it can lead to osteoporosis, which can make the arthritis worse. To prevent this and provide sufficient calcium for strengthening the bones, calcium has to be taken as a supplement and from food products.
Vitamin D3, promotes bone health and also helps in the absorption of calcium. It increases availability of calcium for the integrity of the bone and health of the joint.
Turmeric, has curcumin as its active form. It is a root from which curry powder is gotten. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that have been found to be useful in the treatment of arthritis. It also reduces the pain associated with arthritis and can decrease the stiffness of the joint, improving the mobility of the joint by so doing.
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