Treating Osteoarthritis should be a joint effort between the patient and their physician that takes into account the patient’s personal needs and medical condition. If you think you may have osteoarthritis, the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a pro-active role in your health.
Patients are often unaware that they have osteoarthritis, since the symptoms develop gradually, only to be discovered when joints swell or there is discomfort and pain after a period of inactivity.
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is a wear and tear disease of the joints typically seen in the older adult (usually over 60 years of age). Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, affects the elderly in various parts of the body such as the knees, hips, hands and even the spine.
Currently osteoarthritis treatment is limited because no medications are capable of preventing or retarding the disease process. Very often the doctor will, if osteoarthritis is found, make various recommendations to the patient that will help them to cope with both the pain and maintenance of the disease.
But whether you suffer from osteoarthritis (“wear and tear” of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints) or gout (excess uric acid that accumulate in the joints), relief from your arthritis pain is available.
Osteoarthritis Pain Relief
Although there are effective pain relief drugs prescribed for osteoarthritis, natural pain relief if safer and just as effective. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate combined together are excellent supplements in the fight against arthritis pain: they are said to increase mobility, reduce osteoarthritis pain and form the building blocks for cartilage growth.
Silicon can prevent joint deterioration and heal cartilage. Good sources of Silicon that calcifies and strengthen bones are wholegrain cereals, oats, barley, and root vegetables. Alternate medication, home remedies, liniments, gels, and creams used to help lessen pain require patience and belief.
Prevention
Prevention of the disease can help. If osteoarthritis runs in the family, the best preventive measure would be to follow a healthy lifestyle and a regular exercise program. Medication has to follow the course of the disease.
Sportspersons are more predisposed to osteoarthritis because they tend to put too much of pressure on particular parts of their bones and joints. Playing sport uses a lot of repetitive movements which can, in time, ‘wear out’ the joint.
Diagnosis
Don’t try and diagnose yourself. If you have any pain in the joints visit your doctor. There are different types of arthritis which need different treatment and medication.
There are several methods your doctor or rheumatologist will use to diagnose your type of arthritis. For instance, knee osteoarthritis is diagnosed through physical and pathological examinations of joints on either side of knee including hip joints and checking on posture and gait.
Other Options
Once the disease sets into the advanced mode, hip replacement surgery or arthroplasty is advised to help cure the pain and improve mobility.
The Future
Increasing levels of this disease mean that within two decades it is possible that around 20% of aged people in the US will be suffering with this condition. As the baby boomers age, more and more people will be experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis. To offset this, more and more is becoming known about natural arthritis medication and natural arthritis treatments.
Wendy Owen
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-osteoarthritis-treatments-84789.html
I have been diagnose with fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis. Does anyone use a natural treatment that helps?
I wake up many times during the night in pain. My joints and muscles hurt from head to toe most of the time. I stay tired all the time. My iron level stays low. I am currently on prescribe medication which only helps a little. I really do not like to take medicine and especially when the doctors tells me I have to be on it for the rest of my life. I have tried several different natural remedies but nothing seems to work. I was hoping someone else with these diagnoses has found the miracle cure for this. Thank you and wish you always with good health.
Malic Acid, or Vanadyl Sulfate, Lots of Magnesium. You should also get massages, I mean REAL massages not the Foofy Foofy kind.
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Exercise – it stimulates production of synovial fluid in joints which lubricates them and blood flow it achy muscles – usually I recommend cardiovascular type of low impact for someone such as yourself (bicycle, eliptical)
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i agree about the exercise… you might want to start with something that is mainly stretching such as pilates (that’s been the best result for me at least).
MSM is an excellent supplement – you must play with the dosage & be patient, though – it takes up to a month to see results, but they will come! i believe you can take up to 10,000 mg/day (research that to make sure) – i take 5000 & it has greatly reduced my joint pain & fatigue.
the most important thing you should focus on, though, is sleep. if you are not getting quality deep restorative sleep, you will be in pain. i understand the aversion to medicine – some natural alternatives are valerian, kava, melatonin… Rozerem is a new sleep aid that has no risk of addiction/dependency & works like melatonin to regulate the sleep cycle.
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Serotonin defeciency, ( in some research) has been linked to Fibromyalgia. These symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and body pains. can be helped by 5HTP You need to be careful because you can over do the serotonin, I had to stop taking it once I began a prescription for cymbalta, I also take evening primrose for its anti-inflammatory affects, Alpha lipoic acid for energy and it reversal of the damage caused by free radicals and inflammation, It also helps the vitamins c and e work better which I also take. I take Omega 3 complex, which also helps with circulation, joint stiffness, improved immune function, B-Complex for energy. At night I take Valerian to sleep. I use 2 brands Spring Valley, and Natrol, because they are closet to natural I can find without any extras for example, Natrol has no yeast, wheat, corn, milk, egg glutens or anything artificial, even preservatives. Spring valley has a multivitamin that also excludes the 7 major food allergies, and is sugar free. I hope this helps. There is also allot out there about fibromyalgia and natural remedies.
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http:// about.com has alot of info, under health and thn under alt medicine, or fibromyalgia I also have 10 years expierence in suffering and finding out what works.
I know how painful FM is. You may try natural products but remember that you can aggravate your condition by using the wrong products so….you might ask your doctor first before using anything to excess.
I would stick with the prescribed meds the doctor put you on, they’re tested and O.K.ed you may not like it but, I can only say…that’s life.
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