| | | | | causes addition damage to the cartilage. After losing |
| Picking up an object on the floor produces a sigh, | | | | weight, you will find that the pain lessens and there is |
| getting up from the bed in the morning brings a deep | | | | more mobility. |
| ache and walking up and down the stairs requires | | | | Look for convenience: People suffering from arthritis |
| tremendous amount of will power and strength. | | | | of the hands have difficulty opening doors, typing, and |
| Welcome to the life of someone suffering from | | | | writing. They should now look out for products that are |
| osteoarthritis. | | | | friendly to their ailments like phones with bigger buttons, |
| What exactly is osteoarthritis? | | | | jars with lids easier on the fingers. Those with arthritis |
| Osteoarthritis, a common disease affecting from | | | | of the knees should opt for shoes with special |
| 40-70% of those over age of 50, is degenerative joint | | | | wedges that help reduce the pressure on their knees; |
| disease that generally comes with age. | | | | a walking stick held in the opposite hand also helps. |
| In a healthy joint, the ends of the bone are covered by | | | | Those with arthritis of the spinal cord benefit from |
| a smooth material callled as cartilage, which prevents | | | | sleeping on firmer mattresses, using neck and back |
| the bones from rubbing against each other. The joint is | | | | braces. |
| covered with synovial fluid that lubricates the surfaces | | | | Pain killers: The reality of living with osteoarthritis is |
| and helps in moving the joint. | | | | chronic pain. Doctors advise patients to take over- |
| As we age, the body's ability to generate the synovial | | | | the-counter pain killers and anti inflammatory drugs like |
| fluid reduces, and the cartilage around the joint also | | | | aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen and apply |
| thins due to wear and tear. | | | | creams and sprays to the area that is paining. |
| Thus the bones tend to rub against each other which | | | | Supplements: Vitamin D deficiency has direct links with |
| causes pain, stiffness and if the synovial fluid is in | | | | Arthritis and increasing Vitamin D intake by going out in |
| excess, it might also lead to swelling. | | | | the sun and taking additional supplements is known to |
| Where and how does it affect us? | | | | reduce and even stop the pain associated with |
| Osteoarthritis generally affects the joints of hand, neck, | | | | Arthritis. Taking calcium supplements helps in |
| knee and hips. Generally arthritis at its onset does not | | | | strengthening the bones and in reducing the pain. |
| produce any significant syptoms but as the disease | | | | Hot and Cold: Using hot packs, taking hot showers help |
| progresses there is an increasing pain in the joints | | | | in reducing pain and stiffness in the joints by increasing |
| which is made worse by prolonged activity and | | | | the blood flow. On the other hand, cool compresses |
| improves with rest. There is mostly no inflammation in | | | | are known to decrease inflammation in the joints. |
| the joints, just some pain. | | | | Massages: Massages are beneficial in dealing with the |
| In hands, arthritis can cause pain and limitation of use, in | | | | pain associated with Arthritis. Gentle massage to the |
| the knees it leads to pain, instability and swelling, in hips | | | | area affected increases circulation, relieves the aches |
| it leads to local pain and a limp, arthritis of the spinal | | | | and stiffness and provides immediate relaxation of the |
| cord leads to compression of the nerves which | | | | muscles. |
| affects the circulatory system of the body producing | | | | Foods: Foods to include in your diet are green leafy |
| delibilating pain and numbness. | | | | vegetables, barley, wheat, soy products and carrots. |
| Who is at risk? | | | | Foods to avoid are sugar, extra sweetened products, |
| Osteoarthritis being a degenerative disease comes | | | | foods high in salt, caffeine, alcohol and dairy products. |
| with increasing age. Under the age of 45, it is more | | | | Ayurveda recommends use of turmeric and ginger as |
| common in men than women but after 55, women are | | | | these help in in decreasing the inflammation and the |
| ten times more likely to arthritis than men. Other risk | | | | pain associated with arthritis. |
| factors are genetic disorders, joint injuries, trauma, | | | | Therapy: Physiotherapy can help relieve some of the |
| nutritional deficiencies and obesity. | | | | pain associated with Osteoarthritis by the specific |
| How can you live healthily with Osteoarthritis? | | | | exercises that aim at strengthening the muscles |
| Osteoarthritis can affect a person's day to day routine | | | | around the joints. Many patients opt for alternative |
| because of constant pain and stiffness. However | | | | therapies like Acupressure, Ayurveda and |
| there is no reason why osteoarthritis cannot be | | | | supplements like Glucosamine and chondroitin are also |
| effectively dealt with. | | | | known to reduce arthritis pain. Remember to go only |
| Cut down your weight: Age is one risk factor that | | | | to authentic and experienced practitioners and consult |
| nobody can control but you can cut down your pain by | | | | your doctor before trying alternative therapies. To read |
| reducing your weight. Being overweight puts the joints, | | | | more about Dealing with Osteoarthritis by |
| especially the knees under tremendous pressure and | | | | Medimanage. |