Managing Arthritis

Circle of Wellness
Body

Gone are the days when Arthritis was considered an old age disease. Today, not only that it’s affecting younger population, it’s becoming prevalent in kids too. According to the data available, 1 in 1,000 Canadian children (boys and girls) of under the age of 16 suffer from juvenile arthritis.

The most common symptom of this ailment is painful joints. In severe cases, muscles, cartilage and ligaments also become inflamed and joints look swollen. In extreme conditions joints become immobile, and sometime permanently deformed. In severe cold, windy and damp climate, the symptoms are more pronounced.

While heredity is one of the causes, other factors leading to calcium deficiency increase the risk. Arthritis is more common in women than men and post-menopausal women are at a greater risk. Weak digestion, constipation, overeating and very little physical activity can aggravate arthritis.

Like always, prevention is the key. You can manage it better with some lifestyle changes. And as some people say, arthritis is a condition and not a disease; the following home remedies may help improve this condition by easing the pain and inflammation. However, the result may differ from patient to patient, depending on severity of the problem and other factors.

• Garlic’s anti-inflammatory properties are known to be beneficial in arthritis. Chew well one clove of raw garlic everyday for a few months. It can also be taken in cooked form.

• Half a teaspoon of turmeric mixed with warm milk or water at bedtime helps.

• Message with camphor, wintergreen and cinnamon oils is also beneficial. Massage soothes the muscles that are      attached to the tendons.

• Fruits and vegetable including carrot, beetroot, celery juice, cabbage (specially its juice), and tomato benefit arthritis   patients.

• Vitamin C deficiency can aggravate rheumatoid arthritis. Ask your doctor if vitamin C supplement can help.

• Easily digestible cooked vegetables like zucchini and pumpkin promote good digestion and help manage arthritis.

• Regular physical exercise is very important for arthritis patients. However, these should be gentle stretch exercises    for strength and mobility.

• Keep your weight in control as access weight can cause stress and pain in spinal column, knees, hips, ankles, and feet.

• Yoga is extremely beneficial. Some asans can even help bring deformed joints back to normal position.

• Physiotherapy, walking, swimming and water exercises are helpful too.

• Relaxation is very important as stress aggravates the condition.

• Omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil can help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as it boosts vitamin D (which is good for bone growth) and vitamin A (that can have anti-inflammatory effects). Vitamins D and vitamin A, both can be toxic in large amounts, and can affect liver. Take these only after consulting your doctor.

• Calcium is extremely vital bones. Thus, calcium-rich diet and calcium supplements are just necessary for treatment of arthritis.

The patient of arthritis must avoid the following:

• Eating hot, spicy and fried foods. Foods that cause acidity and gas, including cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, okra and potatoes, should be avoided.

• Avoid excess intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, white sugar, yogurt, chocolate, and cocoa.

• Antibiotics, painkillers, steroids and nicotine should be avoided unless prescribed by your doctor.

• Avoid stress, worries, anxiety, fear and grief as they aggravate the condition; or you could even try meditation.