What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, often referred to as “degenerative arthritis,” can occur as a result of aging or
secondarily as the consequence of trauma, disease, or obesity. Its symptoms include pain in the joints
after repeated use, swelling and pain after periods of inactivity, and sometimes continuous pain, even
at rest. The disease follows the breakdown of cartilage at the joints, leading to long-term and sometimes
debilitating bone changes.
Cartilage allows joint movement by cushioning the ends of the bones, absorbing shock and pressure.
In the early stages of osteoarthritis, this cartilage becomes swollen, hindering movement. As the
cartilage continues to lose elasticity, it suffers further damage from repeated use, leading to pain and
swelling. In severe cases, the cartilage may disappear altogether. Osteoarthritis can also occur in the
lower back or the neck. If bony spurs develop, spinal nerves can become irritated, causing tingling,
numbness, or severe back pain. The disease can manifest in the fingers and the toes as well.
Osteoarthritis Treatments
If you suffer from osteoarthritis, you should above all be sure to maintain a healthy body weight
and get regular amounts of moderate exercise, but avoid intense activity that could severely increase
pain and bone damage. Also make sure to include herbs or herbal supplements in your diet, along with
omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamins D and vitamin E. Herbal supplements like
turmeric and ginger have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, as do vitamin C and omega-3 fatty
acids from fish oil and flaxseed.
Folic acid can decrease joint sensitivity and increase your range of movement, while vitamins D and
Vitamin E may not only prevent the disease but also slow its progression. Magnesium is important for bone
and joint health throughout your life, and can be found in foods like spinach, almonds, and broccoli, as
well as in over-the-counter supplements. Magnesium can also help reduce some of the side effects of high
levels of calcium supplementation. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are extremely helpful as well, as
they are directly involved in the production and maintenance of cartilage.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a much rarer form of the disease, occurring in only one percent of the
population. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks
the cushioning tissue surrounding the joints. Consequently, the cartilage, bones, and ligaments
surrounding the joint deteriorate and form scar tissue. A healthy joint is surrounded by the synovium,
which produces synovial fluid, a clear liquid that nourishes and lubricates the bones and cartilage.
Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the synovium, resulting in inflammation, swelling, and pain. As the disease
progresses, the entire joint structure can be destroyed, causing great pain and a loss of joint function.
Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, affects the whole body. Women are affected almost three
times as often as men, generally between the ages of 25 and 50. While scientists aren’t completely
certain about the causes of the disease, they are aware of a number of readily available treatments for it.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments
As with osteoarthritis, be sure to get regular amounts of moderate exercise. Avoid any intense physical
activity. A popular exercise among sufferers of the disease is water aerobics, which can reduce pressure and
stress on the joints. Also avoid milk and a high-protein diet generally. And again, increase your consumption
of vitamin C, herbs and herbal supplements like turmeric and ginger, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Vitamin C, herbal supplements, and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation, while magnesium can suppress
the spread of the disease.
