Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disorder that causes pain and inflammation the joints of the body. This type of disease has no cure, but it can be managed well with medical intervention comprising OTC painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and injections. However, apart from professional osteoarthritis treatments, you can take the help of several natural measures to deal with this condition. They are mentioned as follows

• Exercise and weight loss Certain types of exercises can help alleviate the stiffness of joints and pain. However, ensure the kinds of exercises you are planning on doing aren’t demanding. The best way to get this right is by consulting a physiotherapist who can guide you about the suitable workout methods to increase flexibility. Simple yoga and water-based exercises can encourage movement without straining the joints.
  On the other hand, if you are overweight, strive to shed some pounds as it will minimize the stress on your joints and help make osteoarthritis treatments more effective.
• Anti-inflammatory diet A wholesome diet will help you manage an ideal weight as well as make you more active. Design a diet which includes anti-inflammatory foods such as broccoli, low-fat dairy products, herbal teas, garlic, seafood (tuna, mackerel, salmon, etc.), citrus fruits, nuts, ginger, turmeric, etc. These foods are rich in essential vitamins and antioxidants. Also remember to refrain from consuming excessive amounts of refined sugars, alcohol, saturated fats, white bread, artificial sweeteners, etc. These tend to slow down the progress of the osteoarthritis treatment and worsen the symptoms by increasing the inflammation levels in the body.
• Hot or cold therapy An excellent natural remedy to gain short-term relief, hot or cold compression can reduce the pain and swelling in the joint area. Typically, warm compresses are ideal for easing stiffness whereas cold compresses can be used to assuage the pain.
• A warm bath with Epsom salt Epsom salt baths are offer relaxation from bothersome joint pain. This is because the magnesium in the salt helps reduce inflammation. These baths are safe, and you can take them two to three times a day.
• Analgesic creams You can apply over-the-counter topical creams that can help in numbing the pain. However, before using creams containing elements like capsaicin ensure that you seek counsel from your specialist.
• Get a massage A joint massage every week can help soothe the pain and relieve stiffness by increasing blood circulation. Although only hire professionals who have an experience in dealing with arthritic patients.

A degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition which affects the joints of an individual. This happens because the cartilage protecting the ends of the bone wears out. It estimated around 27 million people in the country suffer from this disorder. It can occur in any joints, but it typically ends up distressing areas like knees, lower back, neck, big toe, etc. This condition is more likely to develop in individuals who are over the age of 65.

Some of the primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are stiffness, discomfort especially after some physical activity and swelling around the affected joints. Initially, these signs may not be that obvious, but they will develop in time and show up suddenly. The pain caused by OA can be extremely uncomfortable as it can disrupt you while performing even the simplest routine chores. Osteoarthritis has no cure. Therefore, it is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis for this condition and get proper osteoarthritis treatments.

After getting diagnosed with OA, doctors will treat this condition with a combination of medicines. This can comprise oral pills, syrups, topical creams, injections, etc. Some of the most common types of medications used for osteoarthritis treatment are

• NSAIDs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are designed to relieve symptoms like inflammation and pain. For osteoarthritis, doctors can recommend ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, celecoxib, etc. These can be either prescribed by your specialist or can be bought as an OTC medication.
• Hyaluronic acid This is a type of acid which is naturally produced by the body that helps keep the joints lubricated and acts as a shock absorber as well. When the osteoarthritis occurs, there might not be an adequate quantity of this joint fluid which leads rubbing of bone joints, with ensuing pain and swelling. Doctors can externally inject hyaluronic acid in your joints to minimize the discomfort.
• Analgesics These forms of medications are painkillers, some of them are available via prescription, and some are sold as OTC drugs.
• Corticosteroids These are strong anti-inflammatory medicines which are taken orally or are injected into the affected joints.

It is important to note that medications for osteoarthritis treatment, especially prescription medications must be taken under the supervision of the doctor.

A therapist can also help you manage the condition of OA. Some of their techniques involve ways to correctly use joints, hot and cold therapies, special exercises to improve flexibility and assistive devices to encourage movement such as canes, shoe orthotics, scooters, splints, walkers, etc.

Specialists can use corrective surgery in cases where the symptoms have worsened over time and affected the patient’s mobility.

The pain that is experienced by an individual who suffers from osteoarthritis is inexplicable. The chronic condition is caused by friction in the joints of the bone. The ends of the bones are coated with a substance that is known as cartilage. However, when the cartilage breaks down, the ends of the bones are left bare and these lead to soreness and inflammation that increases with each passing day.

Osteoarthritis is commonly experienced in the joints of the knees, elbows, lower back, etc. In a few rare cases, the condition can develop in the joints of the toes and fingers of the hands or feet. The condition becomes worst in time, increasing pain and thus effective one’s lifestyle and other factors like work and relationships. While the following foods may not treat the condition, they can bring about effective osteoarthritis pain relief with time:

Fatty fish – Fish fat is believed to have a very good effect in relieving osteoarthritis pain and inflammation. This is because fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acid. This acid is widely used in supplements to fight against inflammation in the body. A portion of fish should be consumed as a part of the diet, at least a few times a week. If one is not comfortable with consuming fish, omega-3 supplements are a good option, however, this should only be taken after consulting the doctor.

Broccoli – Broccoli is a green vegetable that is packed with a compound that is called, sulforaphane. This compound helps in slowing the damage process of the cartilage in the joints. Broccoli not only aids with osteoarthritis but is also a great ingredient that promotes good health. It can be added to a salad or eaten after a little toss in some olive oil. Cabbage, cauliflower, and sprouts are also beneficial foods to eat to bring about osteoarthritis pain relief.

Garlic – Garlic, a member of the onion family, contains a compound that is known as diallyl disulfide. This is a component that is found to be extremely beneficial in the treatment of several diseases that also included osteoarthritis. The diallyl disulfide does have an effect in bringing about a control in the damage of cartilage. It is also anti-inflammatory, thereby aiding in osteoarthritis pain relief.

Osteoarthritis or the pain that comes with the condition should not be left untreated. Consulting a medical professional and getting treated for the illness is absolutely necessary.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints, most commonly in the knees, hips, lower back, and neck. Generally, a cushioning substance called cartilage coats the end of every bone. This covering enables the bones to glide for joint motion swiftly. However, in the case of osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down leading to the bones rubbing against the surface of each other. This causes swelling and severe pain in the joints. The condition worsens over a period, resulting in the cartilage chipping off and remain around the joint.

Osteoarthritis can bring about a drastic change in the lifestyle of an individual. It can affect one’s work and relationships. People from all age bars are at the risk of developing osteoarthritis. However, people above the age of 60 years are at a greater risk. The following ways may not be able to treat the issue, but can bring osteoarthritis pain relief:

Lose weight – In case of an overweight person, the overall weight of the body can put severe stress and pressure on the joints of the knees and hips. This leads to the pain becoming more severe. Thus, losing weight is absolutely essential to bring about osteoarthritis pain relief. Even a small change in body weight can be of great benefit in easing symptoms and pain.

Heat or cold pads – The pain caused by osteoarthritis is excruciating and one that is inexplicable. Heat or cooling pads are good therapy for osteoarthritis pain relief. The preference of whether to use a heating pad or cooling pad depends on the kind of pain that one may experience.

Green tea – Green tea is widely lauded for its weight-loss benefits. And it is also found to aid in osteoarthritis pain relief as it contains polyphenols that reduce inflammation. It is also believed to increase the production of cartilage in the bones. However, green tea should be had in moderation, or it can have side-effects in the form of liver problems.

Massage – Massage brings ease to the joints and increases mobility that is restrained due to the pain caused by the condition. A massage therapy is used to soothe the joints and stimulate blood flow. This helps in relaxing the sore muscles, thus, bringing about effective osteoarthritis pain relief.

Aquatic exercise – Water-based activities allow for a way of exercising without stressing the bone joints too much. Making this activity, a routine will aid in effective osteoarthritis pain relief and increase the ability to perform the everyday task.

Recent researches show that curcumin, which is the active ingredient in the culinary arts possesses potential anti-inflammatory as well as anti-arthritic properties. Many pieces of research found that a highly bio available form of curcumin is very effective in helping the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis compared to the NSAIDs.

How does arthritis affect Americans?
At least 2 million individuals in America suffer from classical or definite arthritis which is steadily increasing in the recent years. Most people affected by arthritis suffer from rheumatoid arthritis; they also tend to have a progressive disability. Certain disability occurs in about 50 to 70 percent of individuals within five years of being affected by the disease, and at least half of them are compelled to stop working within ten years of the onset of the disease.

How can turmeric help in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis?
A clinical trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of the turmeric extract in patients suffering from osteoarthritis shows that it helps in reducing the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Using turmeric for arthritis also reduces the need to consume prescribed drugs for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis.

Turmeric contains anti-oxidants: The curcuminoids are a class of compounds present in turmeric with strong antioxidant effect. The concentration of the curcuminoids is known to boost the anti-arthritic properties in turmeric. The turmeric extract contains about 94 percent of curcuminoids which helps in reducing the pain and inflammation in arthritis.

Turmeric for arthritis is highly effective: The oxidative stress along with the imbalance of the antioxidant and pro-oxidant agents in the body causes a degradation of the tissues in joints in arthritis. This is one of the major reasons why turmeric is used for alleviating the effects of arthritis.

Turmeric is high in bone protective characteristics: Inflammation in Arthritis paves the way for degradation in the cartilage along with the joint tissue. The curcumin protects the chondrocytes which are a class of cells in the bone from inflammation. Recent research shows that the effectiveness of curcumin is same as betamethasone when it comes to shielding the bones and joints from erosion in arthritis and thickening of the synovial fluid which aids in the lubrication of the joints. Curcumin helps in the prevention of loss of articular cartilage which is a soft tissue helping in the flexibility of joints.

Turmeric is effective in autoimmune conditions: Some forms of arthritis take place as a result of undesired reactions from the immune system. These autoimmune conditions attack the body tissues in the same manner it should attack the infective cells or organisms. This is what occurs with rheumatoid arthritis where an anti-modulatory effect regulates the immune system. It also helps in prevention of the activation of immune cells.

Turmeric helps in the destruction of various pharmacological actions which have therapeutic potential in the autoimmune conditions. If you have arthritis for a long time, you should consult your doctor to know what can turmeric for arthritis do to help your condition.

Arthritis is a clinical condition which is characterized by swollen, inflamed and painful joints. The condition can affect anybody regardless of the age. There are several types of arthritis, and the most common ones include gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and infectious arthritis among others.

People with arthritis suffer from stiffness in the joints, inability to move and use the limb, muscle pain, fatigue and partial or complete loss of flexibility. People aged over 50 suffer from osteoarthritis since it is caused by the wearing down of cartilage in the bone. Gout is caused by the accumulation and subsequent deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints causing inflammation.

What are the most common treatments for arthritis?
If an individual is diagnosed with arthritis, doctors generally prescribe the steroids along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these medications come with a host of side effects which sometimes become unbearable for elderly patients. Such people look for natural remedies for arthritis. If you are suffering from this painful disease, turmeric for arthritis can offer excellent results. With the turmeric for arthritis, you will notice that the common problems such as swelling, tenderness, intense pain and immovability of the joints are gradually alleviated.

What are the benefits of turmeric for arthritis?
Turmeric is a type of rhizome which is obtained from the plant called Curcuma longa. This plant is native to Asia and grown as a perennial herb. It is widely cultivated in India and China for its medicinal benefits.
Inflammation is one of the primary symptoms of arthritis. The wear and tear of the joints make way for the cascade of inflammation. This invariably causes the production of pro-inflammatory agents that make one suffer from pain, swelling and stiffness. The inflammation of the joints gradually spread to the lubrication of fluid in the joint which leads to a condition called synovitis. This makes the joints stiff and immovable.

Turmeric with its active ingredients, curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient. It is the unique characteristics of the turmeric to inhibit the action of the important pro-inflammatory enzymes LOX and COX. The greatest benefit of curcumin is that it doesn’t cause gastric erosion which is a common side-effect of the popular NSAIDs.
Research shows that turmeric extract inhibits inflammation and degradation of joints by preventing the activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B. Also, a review study indicates that curcuminoids reduce the C-reactive protein which is an important cause of inflammation. A recent research report shows that a specialized formulation of curcumin may inhibit inflammation of the synovial fluid which lubricates the joints.

Curcuminoids and curcumin found in the turmeric are an excellent anti-inflammatory agent which helps in reducing the inflammation of arthritis and prevent it from spreading. It also helps in protecting the joints and the synovial fluid from the pain and inflammation without the possible side effects of the NSAIDs.

If you are looking for a viable alternative to allopathic treatment options, you can turn to turmeric for recovery from arthritis.

Arthritis refers to joint pain or joint diseases. It is the leading cause of disability in the US. It occurs during the middle age, but nowadays it is not uncommon among children as well. The reasons are varied – injuries from a tear of a ligament, gout, problem with the immune system etc. There are some common arthritis symptoms like swelling, stiffness, chronic or acute pain and hindrance in movement. It is not inevitable that the symptoms would stay forever, but they may come and go, sometimes it might stay for years or get worse with time. Some types of arthritis affect not only the joints, but also the heart, eyes, kidney, lungs and skin.

There are mainly four types of arthritis: Degenerative arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, metabolic arthritis and infectious arthritis.

Degenerative arthritis: A common form of arthritis, it is also known as osteoarthritis. When an injury or a regular wearing out of the cartilage occurs, the bones rub against each other causing swelling and chronic pain. The joint tends to become loose as it weakens. An anterior cruciate ligament or a tear is the leading cause of this type of arthritis. Relief can be obtained with the help of hot and cold therapy, maintaining healthy activities and consuming over-the-counter or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Inflammatory arthritis: The function of an immune system is to protect the body from foreign bodies like bacteria and viruses. But sometimes, the immune system does not work properly. Instead, it attacks the joints and causes joint erosion, uncontrolled inflammation and damages the eyes and other organs as well. Two examples of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Research says that environmental factors and heredity trigger such an autoimmune disease. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMAD) can be of help to decrease pain and improve the functioning of joints.

Metabolic arthritis: When uric acid increases, it forms needle-like crystals in the joints and results in gout or chronic pain. Uric acid is formed from purines, which can be found in the human cell and also in some food. The primary objective should be to reduce the level of uric acid. Otherwise, it might result in chronic pain, joint damage and disability.

Infectious arthritis: In this type of arthritis, bacteria or virus enters the joint and causes inflammation. Food poisoning and contamination (Salmonella and Shigella), hepatitis C and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like Chlamydia and gonorrhoea cause infections in the joints. Antibiotics would help in clearing the infection of the joint, but sometimes it can be chronic.

Diagnosis and treatment
In the primary stage, a physician would take note of the family history and perform certain tests and scans to help in the identification of the type of arthritis. A rheumatologist should be engaged for arthritis treatment and other complications. Sometimes a surgery or a knee replacement can be the last resort, if medication and other physical therapies fail to work. One may opt for alternative therapies when the conventional medicine does not seem to help much.

Arthritis is an ailment that affects joints resulting in acute to chronic pain. Symptoms include joint pain and stiffness or crooked finger joints. Other signs may include redness, warmth, swelling, and a decreased range of motion of the affected joints. Symptoms may come and go. They can be severe, moderate or mild. They may stay about the same, progress, or get worse over the years. Chronic arthritis can result in severe pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs.

Arthritis is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. People of all ages, sexes and races can have arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have arthritis. It is most common among women and frequently occurs as people get old. Arthritis is the basic cause of disability in the US.

Classification:
Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease that is caused due to the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. Unlike other forms of arthritis, in this case, only the joints are affected.
Rheumatoid arthritis- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints.
Gout and PseudoGout – Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by repeated attacks of a red, hot, tender, and swollen joint. Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition (CPPD) disease, also called pyrophosphate arthropathy or pseudogout, is an arthritic disorder with various symptoms and signs arising from the accumulation of crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate in the connective tissues.
Septic arthritis – Septic arthritis, also known as infectious arthritis or joint infection, is the incursion of a joint by an infectious agent which produces arthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis- In this type of arthritis, the joints of the spine suffer a long-term inflammation.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) – Also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), this is the most prevalent form of arthritis in children and adolescents.
Still’s disease – Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent high spiking fevers, joint pain, and a distinct salmon-colored bumpy rash.

Treatment:
There is no known cure for Rheumatoid or Osteoarthritis. Treatment possibilities vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical therapy, lifestyle changes (involving exercise and weight control) and medications. Studies have shown that the physical exercise of affected joints can noticeably enhance long-term pain relief. Joint replacement surgery may be required in some forms of arthritis. Medications can help reduce inflammation in the joint which decreases pain. Various medications are used for the treatment of arthritis. Depending on the form of arthritis, the medications that are given may vary. Since there is no permanent cure to the condition, many consider taking alternative medicine therapy. Dietary control, acupuncture, yoga, and tai chi are a few popular alternative therapies.

There are joints in our body which connect two bones together. When inflammation occurs in these joints, it is known as arthritis. The function of the joints is to ensure a smooth and flexible functioning of the body parts, and when the joints are inflamed, there is a hindrance in the routine activities. Arthralgia or joint pain is what accompanies arthritis. A single joint involvement is called mono-arthritis; when two or three joints suffer inflammation, it is called oligoarthritis; and when more than four joints are involved, it is known as polyarthritis.

Types of arthritis
Multiple types of arthritis are identified, and the number continues to increase with each research. However, the following are the two most common type of arthritis, which have almost become a chronic illness in the US:
Osteoarthritis: It is a common form of arthritis, which involves a tear or wear of the cartilage or chronic pain induced by an injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is that type of arthritis where the immune system of the body attacks the joints, leading to inflammation.

Causes
The reasons of arthritis depend on the kind of arthritis. The cause can be an injury, which would invariably lead to osteoarthritis; there can also be hereditary factors involved or metabolic abnormalities such as gout or pseudo gout. Sometimes arthritis can occur due to direct or indirect effects of bacterial and viral infections. Immune systems help the body to fight back anti-bacterial bodies, but when they start to work in the wrong direction, attacking the joints, it leads to inflammation and chronic pain, thus giving way to rheumatoid arthritis. It is classified as a rheumatic disease. It affects the joints, ligaments, tendons and sometimes even the organs.

Symptoms and signs
The initial symptoms of arthritis are inflammation, which leads to joint pain and stiffness in and around the joints. Other signs and symptoms are as follows:
Tender joints
Swelling
Fever
Fatigue
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Redness and warmth
Gland swelling or lymph nodes
Chest pain (if the heart is affected)
Shortness of breath (affected lungs)

Diagnosis
The doctor who has specialized in arthritis is called a rheumatologist. He/she can diagnose you the best, asking several questions about the pain – the occurrence, duration and area where it appears. The initial stage is based on the descriptions given by the patients to the physician. After taking note of all the information, the doctor will then order some tests or X-ray of that particular area to get a clear idea of the form of arthritis, before beginning the treatment.

Treatment
The treatment for arthritis is based on the type. It may vary from person to person and in most cases, the treatment is symptomatic. However, there are some standard procedures applicable to all forms and they are:
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Acupuncture
Cold pack application
Surgical operations
Paraffin wax dips
Immune-altering medications

Arthritis has no known permanent cure. However, with the right medications and a few lifestyle alterations, the condition can be controlled pretty well.

Arthritis is an inflammation that occurs in the joints of bones in any part of the body. It is a series of symptoms that happen together that result in arthritis. It is the most common problem among the elderly, but it may affect any age group. Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in America. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and over 50 million people have some kind of arthritis.

Causes of arthritis
There is no specific cause for this disease. The causes vary according to the type of arthritis. Any joint injury may lead to arthritis. Also, malfunction of the immune system, metabolism disorder, infection and inheritance may also lead to arthritis.

Different kinds of arthritis
The most common types of Arthritis that affect most people are listed below.

Osteoarthritis: It is a degenerative joint disease which involves all joints i.e. cartilage, underlying bones and ligaments. It causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. A recent study shows that in America, 26.9 million adults are suffering from osteoarthritis.
Infectious arthritis When a bacteria, virus, or fungus enters into joints and causes inflammation, it is called infectious arthritis. A disease like gonorrhoea or hepatitis C can infect the joint.

Psoriatic arthritis: In the US, it is a common kind of arthritis. In most cases, adults between the age group of 30 – 50 are prone to this kind of arthritis. It is a joint problem, which often occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis not only causes joint pain, but also can cause death.

Fibromyalgia: This kind of arthritis mainly affects the middle-aged people. In America, more than five million adults suffer from this kind of arthritis. It causes joint pain, sleep disturbance, psychological distress, and widespread pain all over the body.
Diagnosis:

For proper treatment, you must consult an orthopaedic doctor. He/she would examine your past and present medical history and may give you some pathology tests like complete blood count (CBC), Joint X-ray, bone scan, electrocardiogram (ECG), thyroid function tests, uric acid urine, uric acid blood, etc. Once the doctor has completed your diagnosis, he may prescribe medications. There are numerous drugs now available in the market to treat different kinds of arthritis. However, there are a few preventive measures that would give better relief.

Some preventive measures for arthritis have been listed below.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Getting quality sleep
Exercising regularly
Staying active
Protecting joints from stress
Taking a healthy balanced diet with lots of green vegetables and antioxidants

Arthritis is becoming quite common, and it not only disturbs your physical health, but also your mental peace. More than 43% adults and more than 30,000 children are being diagnosed with this disease every year. A considerable percentage of the affected are women.

Though arthritis is dreaded for the pain it causes, the trauma due to the pain can be managed very well with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.