Arthritis
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| Arthritis |
what is Arthritis:
Arthritis, or joint inflammation, is a condition that affects the joints, muscles, or the tissues surrounding them. There are two main categories of arthritis:
1. Osteoarthritis: spinal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation in patients with lupus erythematosus, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis.
2. Inflammatory arthritis: such as fibromyalgia, tendonitis, and bursitis.
Causes of Arthritis:
The exact cause of arthritis is still unknown, but there are several factors believed to contribute to its development, including:
- Obesity: Excess weight is particularly linked to arthritis as it puts extra pressure on weight-bearing joints in the body, such as the knees and hips. Losing excess weight may reduce the risk of arthritis and help in cases of actual onset.
- Age: The risk of arthritis increases with age.
- Gender: Women are more prone than men to most forms of arthritis, except for gout which is more prevalent in men.
- Genetics: A family history of autoimmune diseases and certain inherited genes may increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis.
- Smoking: Smokers may have an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, and smoking can also exacerbate autoimmune diseases.
- Joint friction and damage to the cartilage between them due to weight load.
- Occupations that require prolonged standing may increase the likelihood of developing arthritis according to recent medical statistical studies.
arthritis symptoms
Pain:
Joint pain is often the initial symptom of arthritis, which can be persistent or intermittent, affecting either a single joint or multiple joints.
Swelling and Redness:
Swelling occurs in certain types of arthritis due to increased accumulation of synovial fluid or lubricating fluid within the joint. This fluid, which acts as a natural cushion or lubricant to prevent bone friction within the joint, increases in quantity when the joint is inflamed, leading to joint swelling, difficulty in movement, as well as redness and warmth of the skin.
Stiffness:
Joint stiffness is a key manifestation in some types of arthritis, characterized by difficulty in moving the joint, requiring greater force to do so, especially upon waking in the morning or after prolonged periods of sitting. When this condition affects young individuals, it can lead to growth impairment, and organ development issues, along with stiffness, anemia, general weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and irritability.
In elderly individuals, it can result in severe pain, joint swelling, stiffness, and an inability to move the joint due to swelling and joint degeneration, accompanied by a creaking or cracking sound during joint movement. Joint pain worsens with cold weather, after physical activity, or with an increase in temperature.
Prevention:
- Regular screenings for early detection, particularly in the presence of a genetic predisposition to arthritis, are essential.
- Maintaining an ideal or near-ideal weight.
- Engaging in physical exercise.
- Consult a physician when experiencing joint pain.
Arthritis treatment
Pharmacological Treatment:
Analgesics: Work to reduce pain but do not help in treating inflammation, such as acetaminophen.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Work to reduce pain and inflammation, including over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Some NSAIDs are available in the form of creams or patches that can be applied to specific joints.
Counterirritants: Some creams and ointments contain menthol or capsaicin, which when applied to the skin over a painful joint can modify pain signals from the joint and reduce pain.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, these drugs work to modify the course of the disease or prevent the immune system from attacking the joints, such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine.
Biological medications: Genetically modified drugs that target various protein molecules involved in the immune response, including etanercept and infliximab.
Steroids: Prednisone and cortisone reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.
Using moist heat or ice twice daily along with exercises, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid-like medications, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and sometimes antidepressants.
Herbal treatment:
Ginger:Helps in relieving pain and swelling. Drinking ginger root as an herbal drink or using ginger abundantly in food as a spice can reduce joint erosion and osteoporosis.
Turmeric:
Contains curcumin, a chemical that protects joints, prevents their erosion, and reduces inflammation around the joint lining.
Pineapple
Bromelain, a substance found in pineapples, helps prevent joint, bone, and muscle inflammations. This is why athletes often consume this sweet-tasting fruit. Pineapple also aids in the digestion of fibrinogen, a compound that plays a role in certain joint inflammations.
Red Pepper:
Capsaicin, found in red peppers, is a pain-relieving substance. While red pepper causes a burning sensation on the tongue, it actually inhibits pain sensation elsewhere in the body. Capsaicin stimulates the body to release endorphins, which are chemically and functionally similar to morphine. Red peppers also contain aspirin-like substances known as salicylates.
Red pepper can be added to tomato juice and consumed after meals. Additionally, a cream can be made from red pepper by kneading it and used topically, taking care to avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes like the nose.
Note: It may cause allergies in some individuals, so apply it on a small patch of skin. If it causes skin irritation, discontinue use.
Stinging Nettle:
Stinging nettle contains a high amount of boron, which aids in calcium building and deposition in bones. This helps maintain the integrity of bones and joints and prevents inflammation from seeping into them.
Fresh leaves can be boiled and eaten.
Mint: Oregano
Mint, also known as a pizza herb, is a potent antioxidant. Like other antioxidants, mint helps prevent cell damage by the effects of free radicals that play a role in causing inflammation, especially age-related inflammations such as joint inflammations. Free radicals are nothing but unstable oxygen molecules that roam freely in cells. When they reach the joints and bones, they contribute to bone roughness (especially in the vertebrae), joint inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis. Mint contains rosmarinic acid, a compound with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, providing protection and treatment for joint inflammations. Adding mint to your favorite hot drink is recommended.
Willow:
Willow is the original herbal source of salicylates (aspirin) as it contains a chemical substance called salicin. Willow bark has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Garlic:
Sunflower:
Also known as sunflower, sunflower seeds can be added to meals or salads. Consuming sunflower seed kernels contain S-adenosylmethionine, a chemical compound that has shown analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen.
Brazil nut:
It also contains the aforementioned substance found in sunflower, exerting similar effectiveness but with seeds containing half the quantity present in sunflower
Rosemary:
Known as the herb of memory, as it contains antioxidants that protect against aging and preserve the vitality of living cells.
Glutathione herbs:
These are herbs that contain the substance glutathione. It is known that a deficiency in glutathione leads to arthritis; therefore, herbs rich in it protect against this, with the most famous being broccoli, ginger, and turmeric, and among the vegetables are kale, cauliflower, potatoes, and tomatoes, while fruits include oranges, peaches, grapefruits, watermelon, and avocados.Vitamin C herbs:
Vitamin C inhibits the exacerbation of bone and spinal stiffness, with some of the most famous fruits containing vitamin C being citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruits.
Recipes for arthritis:
Rosemary can be beneficial when combined with thyme and oregano, the mixture is strained, sweetened with honey, and consumed on an empty stomach and before bedtime.
Ginger is boiled, mint essence is added, sweetened with licorice, and consumed thrice daily after meals.
Vegetable salad: made from tomatoes, parsley, kale, and onions, with the addition of garlic.
Fruit salad: made from apples, figs, and cherries with lemon or orange juice.
Oils: such as mint essence, sunflower oil, olive oil, walnut oil, grape seed oil, and sesame oil.
Beverages: citrus juices like orange and lemon, fresh fruit juices in their season, with the best-being apple, apricot, and light (non-boiled) tea.