What is Arthritis

Arthritis is defined as inflammation of the joints, where the patient experiences severe pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is one of the most common causes of disability in the United States, affecting more than 21 million adults. The joint disorder impacts a large section of the population above 65 years of age, with 60% arthritis patients being women. As per concerted estimates, more than 67 million people in the United States would be affected with this disease by 2030.
Arthritis is not a single disease but includes a number of :

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Infectious arthritis
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

What Causes Arthritis

Arthritis is mainly caused due to injury, hereditary factors, metabolic abnormalities, overactive immune system, and viral/bacterial infections.   However, recent studies have found that wheat and gluten play a huge role in triggering  flare-ups.   Luckily it is easier to follow a wheat and gluten diet these days,  as you can find gluten-free recipes and gluten/grain free options at most supermarkets.  Have yourself or loved one tested for gluten intolerance then follow a process of elimination diet to see how your body reacts with and without gluten or grains.    This debilitation condition is associated with extreme pain, discomfort, and limited function of the joints, tendons, and ligaments.  Redness, pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joint are some of the symptoms, which can also affect some organs of the body that are not linked to the joints.  Such symptoms include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the gland, weight loss and abnormalities in heart, kidney, or lungs. The symptoms of different kinds of arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis

  – The symptoms grow gradually and become worse with time. A sharp pain in the joint is noticed. Other symptoms like tenderness, swelling and stiffness can also be noticed. Bone spurs can be found around the joint. Knees, spine, hips and hands are the most affected region of this kind. Over 27 million Americans are suffering from osteoarthritis.

• Rheumatoid arthritis

  – Swollen, stiff, and inflamed joints are some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects arms, legs, wrists, shoulders, feet, elbows, hips, neck, jaw, and fingers. People with rheumatoid arthritis feel extremely tired. In some cases, this type of arthritis is also accompanied by weight loss.

• Infectious arthritis

  – In this kind of arthritis, the patient suffers from fever and experiences joint inflammation. These symptoms are often linked to an injury or another type of illness. Elbow, shoulder, knee, finger, and wrist are the most affected parts in infectious arthritis.

• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)

  – This type of arthritis usually affects children. The patient suffers from discontinuous fever, and the temperature rises in the evening and disappears suddenly. Weight loss, rashes on arms and legs, and anemia are some symptoms of JRA. The patient experiences stiffness in hips and neck.

Treatment For Arthritis

While a number of surgeries are available for rheumatoid arthritis, they certainly pose a risk of side effects. True, arthritis can be quite disabling and painful. Nevertheless, some natural remedies ease the pain experienced and even reverse this ailment without posing any kind of threat of side effects.
Diet~
Several studies have linked Arthritis with chronic inflammation.  Chronic inflammation occurs when the body responds, However, life style changes can make a significant difference in treating its symptoms and reducing flares up.  An anti-inflammatory diet is recommended in order to address the root cause of Arthritis.  Some of the best foods include:

• Fermented Foods
• Eat more vegetables or Juice them
• Removing gluten and even dairy from your diet
• Avoiding sugary foods and simple carbs which turn into sugar (Inflammatory)
• Avoid alcohol
• Consume lots of Turmeric (excellent natural anti-inflammatory properties) I love the organic raw powder or you can supplement it (try it here)

Now is your turn.  Do you take medications for Arthritis or have you switched to the natural treatments? Have they worked? How has your  journey to healing arthritis naturally been?

Image source by ALAMY