| Joint inflammation is the literal definition of arthritis, this | | | | there isn't a threat. The body essentially is beginning to |
| term is often used to group over one hundred | | | | attack itself. Rheumatoid arthritis effects over 2 million |
| rheumatic diseases that cause pain, stiffness and | | | | Americans, or 1% of the adult population. Women are |
| swelling in your joints. We are going to look at the | | | | almost three times more likely to develop rheumatoid |
| three main type and who is effected by them. | | | | arthritis as men. The age group most affected is |
| The pain of arthritis is not limited to just the joints it can | | | | between the ages of 20 and 50. |
| and does spread to other parts of the body as well. | | | | Children are affected as well and the type of arthritis |
| Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones and | | | | that they get is a version of rheumatoid arthritis called |
| possibly some internal organs can all be effected by | | | | juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. There is also Gout which is |
| arthritis. We are going to talk about your pain and | | | | a form of arthritis. Gout usually presents itself in men |
| some natural therapies that you can do to alleviate | | | | over the age of 40. It is caused by increased levels of |
| that pain. | | | | uric acid which forms crystals in the joints. The body |
| Pain can be classified into two main categories, chronic | | | | then attacks these crystals and the joints become |
| and acute. An acute pain is one that is temporary and | | | | inflamed. |
| often sudden. The pain dissipates as you heal. When | | | | There are natural treatments or therapies that you can |
| you think of acute pain and what would cause think | | | | use to help alleviate the pain. Believe is or not, for |
| along the lines of a burn, a cut, a broken bone. Yes, | | | | some people the best treatment is exercise. Low |
| they don't sound acute, but the point is that as you heal | | | | impact exercise, or exercises that improve flexibility |
| the pain lessons. This is a contrast to chronic pain. | | | | and range of motion. Non-use of any effected joint is |
| Chronic pain is pain that does not go away, there isn't | | | | not recommended because you are then encouraging |
| a healing process that lessens that pain for you. | | | | the stiffness. Keeping the joint moving and functional |
| Chronic pain is one of America's leading causes for | | | | will help alleviate some of the pain. Many find water |
| disability and one of the most weakening effects of | | | | aerobics and swimming the most beneficial. |
| arthritis. | | | | Exercise is also important in helping you control your |
| The intensity of the pain associated with any form of | | | | weight. Added or extra body weight puts and undue |
| arthritis varies from person to person. Some people | | | | stress on your joints which speeds that progress of |
| have a higher tolerance for pain then others. Factors | | | | arthritis and increases the amount of pain one |
| that contribute to this pain can include swelling within | | | | experiences. |
| the joint, heat or redness present, and the damage | | | | Consider adding glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin to |
| that has already been done to the joint. | | | | your diet. These have both been shown to help |
| The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis this | | | | decrease pain and improve the condition of the joint |
| is also called degenerative arthritis. Your cartilage that | | | | for arthritis suffers. The chondroitin draws fluid into the |
| is meant to protect your bones, is slowly worn away | | | | cartilage to help improve the shock absorbency and |
| over time. This causes stiffness and pain. This seems | | | | the glucosamine helps to build new cartilage with very |
| to effect people more so as they age, men after the | | | | few side effects. |
| age of 50 and women after the age of 40. | | | | There is hope and help for you to help alleviate the |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a chronic, | | | | pain that you are in. Talk with your doctor about ways |
| inflammatory autoimmune disorder. This arthritis occurs | | | | to improve your symptoms and be able to enjoy the |
| when your body's defense mechanisms fight when | | | | life you want and deserve. |