| What is arthritis? | | | | joints). Genetics, untreated infection, and joint injury can |
| Simply speaking, it's an inflammation causing loss of | | | | play a role in the development of arthritic disease, too. |
| movement in the joints. | | | | What are the symptoms? |
| Although the intensity may vary, arthritis is usually | | | | The primary symptoms are: pain, limited movement, |
| chronic and permanent, making even the simplest | | | | stiffness, swelling, and a burning sensation in the joints. |
| movement painful, sometimes altering the shape of the | | | | Secondary symptoms may include glandular swelling, |
| bones, and in some cases affecting tissue and organs | | | | weight loss, fatigue, and irregular functioning of organs |
| as well. | | | | such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys. |
| Doctors classify more than one hundred conditions as | | | | Are there any natural treatments available? |
| arthritis, but the three most common types are: | | | | You bet, and most are easy to find and use: |
| osteoarthritis, which develops from permanent | | | | GREEN TEA, which research suggests contains |
| damage of cartilage and is most common in hands | | | | antioxidants, can aid in reducing risk of developing |
| and weight-bearing joints such as the spine, knee and | | | | rheumatoid arthritis simply by consuming approximately |
| hip; rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease | | | | four cups each day. |
| typically affecting hands, wrists and knees; and gout, | | | | HONEY offers known benefits for arthritis sufferers, |
| an arthritic inflammation resulting from needle-like uric | | | | too. To release its effectiveness: create a paste of |
| acid crystals deposited in the joints. | | | | one part honey to two parts warm water and one |
| What causes arthritis? | | | | teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Applying the paste to |
| A variety (and sometimes combination) of causes, | | | | the affected area will reduce inflammation and pain. |
| including: | | | | APPLE CIDER VINEGAR alleviates joint discomfort as |
| Age (arthritis is significantly more common in people | | | | well. Mix a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar to one |
| older than 55), gender (women are more vulnerable | | | | and a half cups of water and heat until warm. Soak |
| than men as a result of hormonal fluctuations), and | | | | affected hands and feet in the mixture for ten minutes |
| obesity (excess weight puts added pressure on the | | | | twice each day. |