Home and herbal remedies for arthritis

21 Sep, 2014 - 06:09 0 Views
Home and herbal remedies for arthritis

The Sunday Mail

Dr Tafadzwanashe Magodora

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the bones and joints of the body and characterised by the pain of neck, back, hip, knee or feet and sometimes stiffness of joints or deformity.

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are some of the common types of arthritis with similar symptoms but different causes.

In many cases, arthritis deprives individuals of their independence and disrupts lives.

The pain and inflammation condition often makes it difficult to perform even regular day-to-day activities. In general people who get serious arthritis have their lifespan shortened by 10 to 15 years.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is associated with the breakdown of cartilage of the joints. The condition is known to occur mostly in those who are over 65 years old.

However, it is important to note that it can occur at any age. With time, this condition causes the joints to become deformed.

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to occur as a result of the immune system attacking the cells that are around the joints.

The condition is associated with pain, stiffness as well as inflammation.

Research shows that this condition mostly affects women and largely occurs in those who are in the age range of 30-60 years, although it can affect those of any age group.

Bursitis is a type of arthritis that is known to affect the bursae, which are small sacs containing fluids and are present between the joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Obesity is known to be the leading cause of arthritis. Research shows that almost 66 percent of adults who are diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor are obese or overweight. Obesity is known to be major reason behind development and worsening of the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Genetics is also known to play a crucial role in the development of arthritis, especially with rheumatoid arthritis.

Age is a factor.

As a person ages, the cartilage begins to wear out and the fluids present between them start to dry up. This causes the joints to become more susceptible to wear and tear.

The symptoms of the different types of arthritis can be kept under control by making use of several foods, herbs and over-the-counter medications.

It is important to note that these remedies are not substitutes for professional medical treatment.

Talk to your doctor before trying any natural remedies. I will highlight some of the remedies that have been said to be successful for many arthritis sufferers — that is, former arthritis sufferers.

In gouty arthritis (gout), cherries have been found to be effective because they help prevent crystallisation of uric acid to reduce levels of uric acid levels in the blood. They can be taken sweet, sour, canned or frozen or as a fruit juice.

Strawberries are known to contain high amounts of vitamin C, which is helpful in treating arthritis as it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C protects the body against damage from harmful free radicals.

Green beans contain vitamins A, B1, B2 and C and help relieve excess acid conditions that contribute to arthritis.

Garlic has been used to quiet arthritis pain quickly. It can be taken as a garlic supplement ­after breakfast and/or after dinner.

Ginger root is considered to be a powerful remedy to treat arthritis effectively as it possesses compounds known as gingerols, which are helpful in reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the chemicals responsible for triggering inflammation in those with arthritis.

Health experts state that ginger is one of the best foods when it comes to treating conditions such as arthritis as it reduces pain and inflammation.

When compared to anti-inflammatory drugs, ginger root is not known to cause side-effects such as stomach irritation and nausea.

You can consume ginger in its raw form or as a capsule. You can also make a tea from this herb by steeping it for a few minutes in boiling water and then straining it. The daily requirement of ginger root to treat arthritis is around two to four grammes.

Green tea is a good source of polyphenols as well as antioxidants that may be beneficial in protecting the body against harmful free radicals, making it effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

It is, however, important to note that green tea possesses caffeine, which is known to cause nervousness, insomnia and jitteriness in some people. If you begin to develop these negative symptoms, use the decaffeinated variety of green tea.

Joint health capsules contain chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride apart from Astralagus root extract and calcium.

Chondroitin sulfate is an important structural component of cartilage and provides much of its resistance to compression. Along with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate has become a widely used dietary supplement for treatment of osteoarthritis. It is an alternative to treat osteoarthritis and also approved and regulated as a symptomatic slow-acting drug for this disease in Europe and other places.

Long-term intake of joint health capsules can assist in restoration of middle-aged and elderly people’s lumbago, arthralgia, neck vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae degeneration.

Compound marrow powder, which has concentrated extracts from the bone marrow of the Tibet yak – an inhabitat of Qinghai-Tibet plateau in China – supplements calcium and magnesium and helps relive osteoporosis symptoms and strengthens hematopoietic function, thus providing nutrients necessary for human to synthesise blood cells.

Turmeric is a herb that has been used widely in cooking as well as to treat several health conditions. It is helpful in treating the symptoms of arthritis as it contains curcumin, which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

According to research by Science Daily, turmeric might prove beneficial in treating rheumatoid arthritis as it inhibits a substance called NF-KB, which is responsible for causing genes to exacerbate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Health experts suggest consumption of around 400-600mg of turmeric daily to treat arthritis. It can be taken as a capsule, dividing the daily requirement into three doses.

However, it is important to note that if you are taking any blood-thinning medication, you should avoid this herb as it also thins the blood.

 

Please contact Dr TB Magodora (MBChB-UZ, DpTCM-Sh, CHINA) at [email protected] or whatsapp 0776 903 026.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Dr Magodora has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

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