Years of constant use eventually takes its toll on your joints. You end up with pain, limited movement and stiffness upon arising in bed. Joints that are commonly affected are the knees, hips, hands, elbows and shoulders. Although other joints, among those mentioned, may experience the same symptoms as well.
Such is the case for people suffering from arthritis. Literally, the word arthritis means swelling of the joints. And such causes swelling, redness, pain, stiffness and limited range of motion. It affects hundreds of people and is one of the leading degenerative diseases known to man. While it usually strikes older people, just about anyone can suffer from it regardless of age.
There are more than a hundred known forms of arthritis. But the list keeps on going as newer ones are brought to medical attention. Classifications are based on causative factors and the signs and symptoms involved. But the most common type is osteoarthritis. This is due to the wear and tear of cartilage over time. Cartilage serves important roles in the joints. It acts like a cushion and lubricant to facilitate joint movement.
It’s extremely difficult to carry out daily tasks with arthritis. The swelling disallows movement as the pain can be really excruciating. There are different arthritis remedies given to someone afflicted with it, depending on the severity of the case. For most cases, oral intake of pain medications helps alleviate the symptoms. Such medications include ibuprofen, paracetamol, and NSAIDs. But for severe ones, injection of cortisone directly to the joint, or even surgery, may be necessary.
However, there are many natural means of dealing with arthritis. For repairing the wear and tear incurred by the joints, glucosamine is taken. Glucosamine is naturally produced by the body, but in minimal amounts. Supplements containing the substance are mainly derived from animal sources. These include crabs, oysters and other shellfish.
For vegans or those with allergies to such food sources, there’s vegetarian glucosamine. This type comes from vegetable sources. Through a special fermentation process, the glucosamine contents may be extracted. It can also be easily absorbed in the intestines, providing an effective alternative to one that’s derived from shellfish.
Others take on the alkaline diet. Basically, the diet consists of eating mainly fruits and vegetables – alkaline rich foods. Too much acidity in the body is linked to several different illnesses, including arthritis. By increasing the alkalinity of the body, excessive acid is neutralized. An alkaline diet is not only great for alleviating arthritis. It also boosts your immune system as fruits and vegetables contain loads of essential nutrients. This way, you can ward off arthritis and other diseases.
