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| Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments |
Arthritis causes joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain. It is the primary reason for disability. With this condition, the cartilage that surrounds the joint wears away and this causes the bones to rub against each other. As a result, inflammation takes place and this is quite painful. Arthritis affects the daily lives of many people and makes it difficult to do even simple tasks such as climbing stairs, bending, etc.
Causes of Arthritis
Age is a natural cause of arthritis. With growing age, the synovial fluid between the joints gets reduced which can cause wear and tear of the cartilages. Even muscles and ligaments get rigid and loose elasticity with the growing age which can cause misalignment of joints to promote arthritis. It has been noted that people putting extra pressure on a particular body part like people doing sitting job put extra pressure on their lower back are prone to face arthritic conditions sooner than others. Obesity or excess fat mass in the body also exerts extra pressure on the bones and can cause a reduction in the elasticity of muscles causing the arthritic condition.
Occupational hazards also cause arthritis, people working in particular work routine where they exert pressure on particular joint or area of the body like people in sitting jobs can also develop arthritis, multiple fractures to the bones also disrupt the normal functioning of joints to cause arthritis.
Bacteria, fungi or virus which travels in the bloodstream can also cause arthritis by infecting synovial fluid and cartilages. However this condition is rare, but people having an arthritic condition are prone to such infectious arthritis if they catch any infection whose virus, bacteria or fungi can travel in the bloodstream. Viral hepatitis is an auto immune disorder in which immune system starts attacking the healthy tissues of the body, spread of this disease cause arthritis. Lyme disease caused by the bite of a tick also causes arthritis. Lupus is another disease which causes arthritis if not treated properly and allowed to grow, in some cases, it can even cause life-threatening infections in the joints and muscles.
Injuries to the joints or the bones as well as muscular injuries can also cause arthritis. Joints are held in position by ligaments, and if there is any past injury which has damaged ligaments can misalign the joints, muscles help in moving the joints by contracting and expanding and any injury to them also restrict the movement or cause pain while moving the joint to promote arthritis. Sportspersons have been found to develop arthritis due to this reason as they are prone to muscular injuries when doing strenuous exercises.
Genetics is considered as a possible reason for arthritis though not scientifically confirmed. Genetic variation occurring due to migration or natural evolution process of human beings and their response to changing environment and lifestyle is considered as a possible reason for arthritis.
Symptoms of Arthritis:
General Arthritis symptoms include the inability to use extremities, fatigue, fever, weight loss, poor sleep, muscle aches and pains, tenderness, stiffness, and difficulty in movement of a joint.
Inflammatory arthritis, which affects the functioning of internal organs, could be manifested through the presence of nodules under the skin, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite which results in weight loss and inflammation of glands, particularly salivary and tear glands. Pain in the neck, spine, back, shoulders, hip, hands, elbows and knees could also be present.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis include pain, sharp ache or a burning sensation in the affected muscles and tendons. Other symptoms are stiffness, inflammation, and a crackling noise when you move or touch the affected joint. Muscle contractions and spasm in the tendons are also other symptoms.
Treatments of Arthritis
Even though there are many prescription drugs for this condition, they are not suitable for everyone. This is because these medicines contain certain ingredients that can cause side effects in some people. For this reason, many people are afraid to take prescription drugs for their arthritis. To effective reduce inflammation and get rid of pain resulting from arthritis here are some useful tips.
Massage with oil
Massaging oil regularly on your inflamed joints can give relief. Ordinary oils such as olive, coconut and mustard can help to lubricate the joints and increase flexibility. You can also use small amounts of essential oils such as Myrrh, Frankincense and ginger oil. Just remember to dilute the essential oils with any regular oil to prevent irritation to the skin. This is because Virgin essential oils are very potent on their own, so you need to dilute them before applying. All of these oils have anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and pain associated with arthritis. To apply, put the oil into the palm of your hand or on the affected part and massage the area slowly. Apply gentle pressure periodically to stimulate the tissues.
Herbal supplements
Herbal supplements are one of the best ways to treat arthritis internally. Even though topical treatments are good, you will benefit more from internal treatments. Herbal supplements help to reduce inflammation and swelling of the joints. These medicines also help to control the degenerative process by providing nourishment to the joints and increasing the lubricants in those areas. Many people use herbal supplements worldwide to treat arthritis in a safe and natural way. These medicines contain potent herbs such as Ricinus Communis, Vitex Negundo, Commiphora Mukul etc. All of these herbs are known for their anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Thus, you will be able to treat the cause of your arthritis problem with the help of herbal supplements.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a yellow spice characteristic to Indian cooking that can provide relief to those who suffer from arthritis. This due to the fact that Turmeric has curcumin, an effective anti-inflammatory agent. There are many ways to add turmeric to your daily diet. You can mix a generous pinch of turmeric powder it to milk and drink it. You can also add to soups, sauces, and stews. Not only will turmeric give your cooking a vibrant color but it will also help your body ward off infections.
