| When it comes to talking about arthritis pain, | | | | What Happens After Prolonged Misdirected |
| inflammation comes up in every conversation. The two | | | | Inflammation? |
| go hand in hand which means treating the inflammation | | | | Inflammation is not supposed to continue for long |
| to handle the pain associated with arthritis. Inflammation | | | | period of time. In most arthritis cases, the prolonged |
| occurs when the white blood cells of the body go into | | | | inflammation and swelling of an area directly affects |
| protection mode against infection and foreign objects | | | | the physical makeup and function of the joint. Over |
| in the body. When a person suffers from arthritis, the | | | | time, swelling and chemicals commonly used to treat |
| inflammation process is enacted even when there are | | | | infection by the body, can wear down the tissues |
| no enemies to battle. This is often called misdirected | | | | protecting the joints. Once these wear down, the |
| inflammation. | | | | bones will begin to rub together causing even more |
| Misdirected inflammation is associated with most | | | | pain and swelling. Swelling of the synovium, or joint |
| forms of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, | | | | lining, can also occur if inflammation is not treated. |
| bursitis and gouty arthritis. Other forms of arthritis | | | | Alternative Methods of Treating Inflammation and |
| affected by inflammation include polymyalgia | | | | Arthritis Pain |
| rheumatica and systemic lupus erythematosus. The | | | | There are several alternative choices that may help |
| most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is not | | | | reduce inflammation in the joints and thus reduce or |
| commonly associated with inflammation. | | | | eliminate the pain associated with arthritis. Fish oil, for |
| What Happens When Inflammation Occurs? | | | | instance, has been shown to reduce inflammation of |
| When inflammation hits the joints and connective | | | | the joints enough to stop arthritis pain from occurring all |
| tissues of the body, symptoms begin to occur. The | | | | together, according to Harvard Medical School |
| most common symptoms include redness of the area, | | | | research. Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids which |
| swelling, warmness of the joints, pain and stiffness in | | | | have an anti-inflammatory affect on the body. Other |
| joints and joint function loss. Not all of these symptoms | | | | common sources of omega 3s include salmon, herring |
| will present at the same time and the symptoms can | | | | and other cold water fish. Certain seeds and whole |
| appear and disappear from day to day. | | | | grains are also a great source of omega 3s. |
| As a protective reaction, inflammation works to lock | | | | While many people who suffer from arthritis pain feel |
| down a specific area of the body, through swelling, and | | | | exercise will cause an increase in pain, this is not the |
| rush blood to the area for healing, warmth and | | | | case. Exercise has been shown to reduce |
| redness. When there is no infection to be treated, the | | | | inflammation which means taking a walk on the |
| misdirected inflammation can continue for long periods | | | | treadmill or through the park can reduce the pain |
| of time unless the source of the problem is found and | | | | associated with arthritis. Hand exercises also work |
| treated. | | | | wonders to reduce swelling and pain. |