Alternative Health: Herbal
Remedies for Arthritis
Arthritis Pain Relief and
Prevention
by George Harper
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Referred to as the nation's
number one crippling disease and the most common chronic disease in
people over 40, arthritis affects more than 40 million Americans.
And this figure is expected to rise to 60 million by 2020, according
to the Center for Disease Control.
Arthritis generally afflicts
people between the ages of 20 and 50, but can affect all ages, even
infants. The average age of onset is 47 and about three out of every
five people with arthritis are under 65 years of age.
Arthritic expenditures for
just one person due to lost wages, medical treatment and other
related expenses can come to more than $150,000 in his or her
lifetime. And doctors believe there are over 100 different forms of
arthritis, all sharing one main characteristic: all forms cause
joint inflammation.
What can be done for
arthritis pain relief? Many things. For example, weight and
nutrition are only a couple of factors that play a role in arthritic
pain. And yet shedding even 10 pounds to relieve weight from knees
and finding the right nutritional strategy can help relieve pain a
lot.
There are many ways to
effectively manage arthritic pain today to find relief. Available
are arthritic diets, exercise programs, over-the-counter and
prescription medications, relaxation and positive emotion coping
techniques. Also available are surgeries, supplements, home
remedies, natural and other alternative therapies. When arthritis is
first suspected, it would be wise to seek a medical opinion first.
Then as time and resources allow, check out the other options.
Herbal Remedies
For people who suffer from
arthritis, dependable pain relief is a vital concern. The agonizing
sensations of simply walking up the stairs are discouraging and can
drive patients into depression. When someone cannot function
properly, their body is not in balance and often; they will become
victims of their pain, forcing them to seek alternatives. These
people have often tried traditional medications without success,
they are often no eligible for surgery and as a result, they will
see relieve through natural remedies.
Many people are also seeking
natural remedies because of the increasing cost of prescription
medication. Before discontinuing a prescription medication, consult
a physician. However, with a doctor's approval, there are many
natural solutions, which may aid in managing arthritis. A popular
alternative to medication for pain relief is acupuncture. Although
the pain-relieving effects may be temporary, these sessions can be
very beneficial for those who find that drugs or supplements are
insufficient or have unacceptable side effects:
Cayenne Cream - apply the
cayenne cream to painful areas. Cayenne peppers contain an substance
called capsaicin which is responsible for their spicy effect. This
also causes a burning sensation when it comes in contact with skin,
and inhibits the body's production of substance P which is heavily
involved the relaying signals of pain to the brain. Apply the cream
two to three times per day for at least one week before making a
decision as to whether or not the cream is helping to reduce
arthritis pain.
It's understandable that
many people experiencing pain and aching in a joint because of
osteoarthritis reach for the aspirin or another conventional pain
reliever. The problem is, these medications can be rough on your
stomach, and they do nothing to slow the progress of your arthritis.
Even the new COX-2 inhibitor drugs do not act to preserve the joint.
[From the doctors of WholeHealthMD].
On the contrary, many
natural remedies and supplements have been found to actually reduce
cartilage deterioration and even rebuild a patient's lost cartilage.
However, before adding any to your daily routine, check with your
healthcare advisor, as supplements can cause adverse reactions and
may not be right for your situation. Note that dietary supplements
are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration); i.e. do
not need to be approved by them, and can include any of the
following: plants, fats, proteins and animal organs and tissues as
well as herbs, minerals and vitamins.
So some supplements may be
fine for arthritic patients; however some may not be. Note also that
manufacturers may very well promote that their products work great,
but they do not have to use standardized ingredients or recipes,
disclose side effects that have been reported, nor prove that the
products are indeed effective. So use caution.
The most popular dietary
supplements for arthritis sufferers are chondroitin, fish oil and
glucosamine. Chondroitin can draw fluid into the cartilage,
improving shock-absorbing ability and weight control, as more weight
equals more joint pressure. Fish oils help with controlling
inflammation in the body. And recent studies have shown that the
cartilage-building substance called glucosamine is effective for the
long-term relief of osteoarthritis pain.
In some people, glucosamine
appears to even slow the deterioration of joints over time and
reinforce joint cartilage. Whether or not it can actually reverse
the disease is still unclear. In some instances, glucosamine can be
used in conjunction with MSM, a substance that appears to slow down
the degeneration but is not yet proven and approved.
In a nutshell:
Chondroitin - Helps draw
fluid into cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability.
Ginger - Ginger is an
antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no major side effects.
Glucosamine sulfate - This
builds cartilage with very few side effects.
Magnets - Although magnets
that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens have been reported
by some to be effective pain relievers, results are still
preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets are not strong enough.
MSM - This organic sulfur is
used in the reduction of inflammation.
Nettle leaf - Nettles can
reduce a patient's need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) by up to 70 percent.
Vitamin E - This antioxidant
is used primarily for osteoarthritis.
Vitamin B is also an
effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and can help stop
degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules, not only in
the joints but in other areas of the body as well
These are merely a few
examples of what an arthritis sufferer can use when seeking pain
relief from natural remedies. However, due to the lack of scientific
study and testing on many of these alternate treatments, there is no
proof of their effectiveness.
Nothing can cure
osteoarthritis, but nutritional supplements, the application of heat
or cold to affected joints, exercise, and weight loss can improve
the function and flexibility of your joints, and perhaps even slow
the progress of the disease. Conventional over-the-counter pain
relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be very helpful
in decreasing joint pain, but they do produce side effects and can
cause problems in long-term users.
Unfortunately, there is no
way to cure arthritis. However, you can delay the onset by
maintaining a healthy weight. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy
and avoid repetitious movements that cause you pain.
George Harper writes for
http://www.arthritisresolved.info where you can find out more
about
athritis and other topics
Free
Binaural Beats MP3
Stimulate
your mind while you sleep
Best-selling isochronic tones MP3s
Get it at Isochiral.com/Free
Develop
Your Intuition
in Just 2
Days. Guaranteed!
Silva Ultramind Home Seminar
Download it Now...
Melt
Away Your Stress
Meditate
as Deep as a Zen Monk
With the Push of One Button.
Free Demo Reveals Secrets!
|
