Arthritis Pain Relief:
Arthritis, in its very literal form indicates an inflammation of the joints. A joint is that part of the body where two bones meet and its primary function is to enable movement of the parts that it connects. An inflammation of these joints, is what causes this painful and chronic condition. There are over a 100 different forms or types of arthritis and each of these forms has varying symptoms, features, treatments and complications. They could range from a condition that has been formed due to a wear and tear of the cartilage (osteoarthritis), to one that has been caused due to an inflammation on account of an overactive immune system. Thus, we can say that the cause of the condition is largely based on its form or type. For example, degenerative arthritis is caused due to an injury, while pseudo-gout and gout are the outcome of abnormal metabolism. Rheumatoid arthritis is the result of an overactive immune system. The cause of the condition will then determine the treatment that is to be administered.
Here are a few home remedies that can help keep this condition under control. Potato juice has been found to be very effective in the treatment of arthritis pain. Chop a medium sized potato into fine slices and soak them in a bowl of chilled water overnight. This water has to be had the first thing the next morning, on an empty stomach. This remedy has to be executed on a daily basis to keep symptoms under control. Juice that has been extracted from any green leafed vegetable has also been found to be beneficial for the treatment of arthritis. A cup of this juice when mixed with an equal quantity of beet, carrot and celery juice has been found to dissolve any accumulated deposits in the tissues and around the joints.
Pineapple juice contains an enzyme known as bromelain, this helps in reducing inflammation and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. A cup of fresh pineapple juice should be had every morning for breakfast. Include plenty of garlic in your diet, as it is known to contain anti-inflammatory properties. You can consume it in the uncooked (raw) or cooked form. Lime is also useful when it comes to treating arthritis, as the citric acid present in it, helps in dissolving uric acid. Mix together a glass of warm water and the 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. This solution should be had daily, preferably in the morning.
Herbs for Arthritis:
Rheumatism is an outdated term that is no longer used in medical circles, as the term is too inaccurate and wide to be of significant use. The term fundamentally describes inflammation and pain of the joints and connective tissue. There are an estimated 200 causes of rheumatism. Arthritis is a condition that also affects the joints and is an inflammation of the joints. Rheumatism and arthritis are usually complimentary but is extremely dangerous and debilitating in a condition called rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs at the later stages of life, though the onset of the disease is not restrictive. Autoimmune diseases are diseases that are not caused by any infections but are rather caused by the body’s immune system attacking the body. The reason why some people are susceptible to arthritis more than others is due to genetic predisposition with most sufferers having some kind of family history of the disease. The progression of the disease starts with a degradation of the cartilage of the joints. Cartilage is a substance that prevents bones grinding against each other. This is further lubricated by a fluid called synovial fluid that encloses the whole joint. When the cartilage wears out and the bones come into contact with each other, the bones start to wear out, cause pain, and eventually inflammation. The disease progresses to near complete bone loss if not treated or managed properly. Rheumatoid arthritis is an even more severe form of the disease that can affect various parts of the body, even cause deformities of the joints like clubbed fingers, twisted bones, and affect the other organs of the body.
Being an autoimmune disease, the only way to treat arthritis is to use corticosteroids, which suppress the immune system. The use of corticosteroids are unfortunately a double-edged sword since suppressing the immune system renders one susceptible to bacterial and viral infections as well as cancer. Managing the disease involves some physiotherapy as well as pain management. Other alternative methods of dealing with arthritis include herbal treatments using herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties. The two most potent herbs in this regard are ginger and feverfew. To this combination, turmeric is also used as it also has anti-inflammatory properties. All of these herbs have to be increased as dietary supplements and their potency can be increased with the used of black pepper. Black pepper prevents the excretion of certain active compounds and their continued presence in the blood stream increase their efficacy.
Fibromyalgia Diet Treatment:
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes a great amount of pain in the muscles, joints and ligaments. In addition to pain and stiffness of the muscles, it can also cause depression, sleep disorders and fatigue. Recent research suggests that people who suffer from this condition tend to process pain differently; the experience of pain is more intense in these individuals or rather the pain they feel will be three times worse as compared to any other person. However, there is a valid explanation to this. The cerebrospinal fluid contains a chemical called substance P. This chemical transmits the impulse of pain to the brain. Now, in individuals that suffer from Fibromyalgia, the levels of this chemical are three times higher as compared to another individuals. This would explain why they experience pain which such a high intensity.
Pain is one of the major symptoms of this condition. As in arthritis, the discomfort is not limited to the joints but rather extends to the ligaments and muscles. Fatigue is another common complaint of patients with this condition. Mental haziness is another symptom associated with this condition. One may experience difficulty while concentrating, depression and even memory loss. A diet plan for this condition will depend to a large extent on an individual’s symptoms. However here are a few tips that you can consider.
Avoid refined carbohydrates if you can to prevent fibomyalgia. Stay away from cakes, breads, white flour, sweets, donuts and processed cereals. Switch over to whole grain instead. Whole grain bread, rye, oats, muesli and oatmeal should be good diet for fibromyalgia. Minimize the saturated fats in your diet. This is because these fats interfere with blood circulation, which in turn will lead to increased pain and inflammation. Sources of saturated fats are beef, cheese, ice cream, margarine, potato chips, donuts, mayonnaise, frozen yogurt, chicken fat, cookies, cakes and butter. Try and remove fried foods from your diet. Instead switch to bakes, broiled and sautéed food. Go easy on meat since red meat is high in saturated fat and is not good for fibromyalgia patients. You could instead supplement meat with fish. Include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet plan. Whole fruits such as; strawberries, blackberries, mango, peaches, kiwis, raspberries and apples are all good for this condition. Furthermore cabbage, broccoli, spinach, sweet potato, carrots, Brussels sprouts, collard and kale would also be good for you. Lastly drink a lot of water while reducing or even eliminating caffeinated drinks.
Natural Cures for Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is an extremely common condition that is known to affect at least 10 million people in the United States of America alone. Almost 80% of the affected are women – showing that women are more susceptible to the condition than men. The condition is characterized by a low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that leads to a weakening of the bones. This causes an increase in the likelihood of broken bones which is commonly experienced in the hip, spine and wrist. During the developmental phase of osteoporosis, one will not experience any symptoms, something which has lead to its other common name - ‘silent disease’. When the symptoms start to show, like a dull pain in the neck or other bones, the condition has already reached a rather advanced stage and will need very special care and treatment to aid recuperation. The consequences of the condition are known to impair an individual for life. For example, if a patient were to experience significant damage to the hip – this will affect the ability to walk while, in extreme cases, may even lead to permanent disability. Some of the other symptoms that a patient will experience include a loss of height as a result of collapsing vertebrae, stooped posture, a hunched or bent stature and a sharp pain in the back for no apparent reason.
Some of the most common causes of osteoporosis include a deficiency of estrogen post menopause, the increased risk of falling that is associated with aging, an unhealthy diet that lacks essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and phosphorous which play a significant role in the development of bones. Other underlying medical conditions like an over-active thyroid and diabetes may also play a prominent role in the onset of the condition.
Some helpful tips in treating osteoporosis include exercising strenuously for about 30 minutes everyday in order to build stronger bones. The exercise plan should cover weight bearing activities like walking or jogging at least three times during the course of an entire week. Walking deep chest in water for 30 minutes everyday is known to help strengthen bones while also supporting body weight and taking stress off the bones and joints. A moderate intake of soy products will help your body get the essential nutrients it requires to stave off the effects of this condition. Having a handful of sesame seeds every morning is also known to help treat the condition.
