I was recently commissioned by Mobility Plus to give my thoughts on the topic of Arthritis. It is not just a condition limited to the elderly, in fact children are known to suffer with it. with over 10 million people in the UK suffering from arthritis, it’s no small problem.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis in basic terms is a condition that means pain and inflammation of the joints. There are different types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis, which affects the cartilage, most common in later life post mid 40s.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, where the body’s immune system attacks the joints.
There are other joint conditions similar to arthritis which you may have, but they are treated much the same, depending on the cause.
What causes Arthritis?
General wear and tear on the joints caused by age can be a factor. Women are more likely than men to get arthritis. If you get an injury from sports or an accident, this can cause a flare up either at the time, or later in life due to a weakness.
How to treat arthritis
Firstly, identify the cause. Maybe it’s something that will get better with time, or can be cured or treated. Always seek advice from your doctor. Secondly, there are treatments that can work for you, it may be that one or more works for you, or a combination.
- Painkillers, especially anti-inflammatory ones, like Ibuprofen. Talk to your doctor for a prescription.
- Avoid repetitive movements on the painful joints.
- Heat packs like hot water bottles or wheat bags.
- Cold packs like frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel.
- Physiotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Surgery
- Keep active
- Eat a healthy, well balanced diet
- Homeopathy remedies
- Osteopathy
- See a chiropractor
These are some creative ways to treat your arthritis so that you are living with it and not letting it control you. The earlier you get help and support, the better it will be for you.
4 Comments
good post!
September 14, 2020 at 11:27 amALICE recently posted…Nutrition for Cancer Patients
Thanks for reminding me that we need to identify the cause first before treating arthritis. My mother had been suffering from joint pain and I think it is unavoidable because of her old age. Still, I think it wouldn’t hurt to visit a medical professional and see if getting an ultrasound device can help.
March 8, 2021 at 7:03 amGreat tips! I think you must write one on how to prevent arthritis? Does regular workout and healthy lifestyle helps?
March 3, 2022 at 6:37 amJohn Gatesby recently posted…Coronavirus Induces Oxidative Stress Leading to Autonomic Dysfunction – Part 5
It helps keep you supple and mobile so yes it does help with Arthritis
March 10, 2022 at 9:57 am