Arthritis & Natural Alternatives

The two commonest forms of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis - degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear, normally occuring later in life
• Rheumatoid Arthritis - an auto-immune disease causing joint & tendon damage, usually starting earlier in life

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, which is the connective tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. It is characterised by pain, joint damage, and limited motion. The disease generally occurs later in life, and most commonly affects the hands and large weight-bearing joints particularly the hips and knees. Age, Sex (commoner in women) and obesity are all risk factors for this disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is quite different to osteoarthritis. It is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. It has several features that make it different from other kinds of arthritis. For example, rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern. This means that if one knee or hand is involved, the other one is also. The disease often affects the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand. It can also affect other parts of the body besides the joints. In addition, people with the disease may have fatigue, occasional fever, and a general sense of not feeling well.

Another feature of rheumatoid arthritis is that it varies from person to person. For example, it lasts only a few months or a year or two and goes away without causing any noticeable damage. Other people have mild or moderate disease, with periods of worsening symptoms, called "flares", and periods in which they feel better, called "remissions". Still others have severe disease that is active most of the time, lasts for many years, and leads to serious joint damage and disability.

Features of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

• Tender, warm, swollen joints.
• Symmetrical pattern. For example, if one knee is affected, the other one is also.
• Joint inflammation often affecting the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand; other affected joints can include those of the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
• Fatigue, occasional fever, a general sense of not feeling well (malaise).
• Pain and stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after a long rest.
• Symptoms that can last for many years.
• Symptoms in other parts of the body besides the joints.
• Variability of symptoms among people with the disease.

Naturally Reducing the Pain of Inflammation

• Fish Oil (Omega 3) contains the essential fatty acid "EPA" which the body needs to produce Prostoglandin 3 a natural anti-inflammatory. Research suggests that a diet rich in Omega 3 EPA may help reduce the pain of inflammation associated with some forms of joint pain.

Other Therapy Ideas

• Heat Therapy (e.g. Sauna)

Notes

If you believe that you're suffering from arthritis, you should contact your medical practitioner for advice and treatment. In addition, changes to diet and the use of certain nutritional supplements may also help to relieve symptoms.