Arthritis
literally means "inflammation of
a joint". This means that the
tissues within the joint and the
surrounding connective tissues become
inflamed causing discomfort. These
inflammatory conditions can affect
the spine, muscles, tendons and
bones, as well as the joints.
As
With all illnesses, it is recognised
that all illness begins in the mind.
There are
actually over 100 recognised forms of
arthritis, most people however are
affected by arthritis have one or two
common types from the most common
osteoparthritis, Rheumatoid
Arthritis, Secondary arthritis in
relation to sports injuries and more
on this page:
Osteoarthritis is the most common type
of arthritis. It usually starts
mostly in the fifties age group with
discomfort and pain, stiffness in the
joints. Slightly more women than men
get osteoarthritis. It does not
usually cause severe disability but
in some cases it can cause serious
damage requiring joint replacement
and early diagnosis and treatment is
essential. Treatments range from
surgeries to cortisone injections,
pain medications. Natural treatments
involve diet, exercise and a healthy
self responsibility.
This form of arthritis
begins when the body fails to
assimilate and provide sufficient
calcium for normal metabolic
function. This causes the body to
leach calcium from the bones, causing
a weakening of the bones. This
robbing of calcium is usually in
excess and the body then stores this
spare calcium in the joints, creating
problems. To get sufficient calcium
to metabolise in the body, it is
important to provide a range of
essential trace minerals such as
boron. Eating extra dairy products
has never been proved to help, nor
have calcium supplements in isolation
without a broad spectrum mineral
supplement to assist assimilation. More
Rheumatoid
Arthritis
occurs most often between the ages of
20 and 55. Three times as many women
as men are affected. If not properly
treated, rheumatoid inflammation can
progressively damage joints and cause
joint deformities. Almost any joint
can be affected. The most common are
the elbows, wrists, fingers, feet and
knees. Treatments range from simply
taking asprin, see alternative treatments.
In sport, arthritis
develops as a result of injuries, it
is generally referred to as
"secondary" osteoarthritis.
That means the deterioration of the
cartilage was caused by a traumatic
injury to begin with. As a general
rule, it takes years after the injury
to develop.
More
Information
Some Other Types
of Arthritis Include: gout,
ankylosing spondylitis, lupus,
psoriatic arthritis and scleroderma.
Arthritis can also be associated with
conditions such as accidental or
sports injuries to muscles, bones and
joints, backache, sciatica, lumbago,
whiplash injury and fibromyalgia.
Arthritis is a painful and
unpredictable dis-ease and sometimes
lead to other health problems.
While anyone can
be affected by arthritis at any stage
of life, there are four groups
especially at risk: sports people,
women, children, older people.
More women than men get
arthritis, particularly rheumatoid
arthritis. It is thought that the
body is depleted of resources through
childbirth and raising. This tends to
begin in young or middle-aged women.
The pain and fatigue can lead to
anger and doubts about coping with
the demands of family life and
career. Primary treatment is with
diet and adequate nutrition.
Many people are affected
by arthritis as they grow older.
Regular exercise, a balanced diet,
and maintaining a reasonable weight
are important to help prevent loss of
mobility. Injuries from contact
sports are more likely to lead to
arthritis.
Possible
symptoms to watch for are:
- Swelling
in one or more joints.
- Early
morning stiffness for more
than a few minutes.
- Recurring
pain or tenderness in a joint
or reduced movement.
- Obvious
redness or warmth in a joint.
- Unexplained
weight loss, fever or
weakness combined with joint
pain.
- If you or
your child has these symptoms
for more than two weeks, you
should see your naturopath or
doctor.
Successful treatments
Include massage, dietary supplements,
herbs, minerals, vitamins.
More
Information and Products
