Arthritis is a condition affecting the joints in a variable pattern. Some people may have just one joint involved while others may have multiple joint involvement. Chronic osteoarthritis may develop as a result of an autoimmune disease or may simply be a degenerative change. The results may be either rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune) or osteoarthritis (degenerative). There is a lot of similarly in the signs and symptoms of the two subtypes. There are a number of things on arthritis relief Santa Cruz patients need to understand.
Drugs continue to play a vital role in the management of arthritis symptoms. The main classes of drugs used are analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. It has been observed that the dosage and number of drugs needed to control the symptoms increase as the condition progresses. This makes it more difficult for some patients to remain compliant to what has been described and also increases the risk of experiencing serious side effects. These, as well as other reasons, have created the need to have alternative therapies.
Weight loss has been shown to be hugely beneficial in the management of this problem. Since excessive weight exerts undue stress on major joints and hastens degenerative changes, it has been argued that reducing this stress through weight reduction may slow down progression of the condition or reverse some of the changes. Indeed, some patients have reported a dramatic improvement of their symptoms by losing weight.
Physical exercise is one of the most popular ways of losing weight. Persons with arthritis will realize that it has several other benefits other than those related to weight loss. Among these benefits is the fact that flexibility is greatly improved. This is particularly important when stiffness has already set in. Less strenuous exercises such as swimming and taking part in aerobics sessions tend to offer more benefits than intense activities such as walking and running.
Thermal therapy is an option one may consider in isolation or in combination with other forms of treatment. Among the most effective ways of making use of hot and cold therapies is by incorporating them into the daily routine. For instance, one may schedule to have a warm bath or shower every morning. This has been shown to help in pain relief. Using an electric blanket at night will achieve similar results.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been tried in the management of this condition with variable degrees of success. Acupuncture has emerged as one of the most widely used techniques under this category. The technique is performed by piercing a number of special needles into the body with the aim of restoring the flow of life energy.
It has been postulated that psychological stress has a role in the manifestation of symptoms. Therefore, reducing the stress may help control symptoms to some extent. Many strategies of stress management exist. Meditation and yoga are quite common and are used for the management of many physical, emotional and psychological conditions.
The impact of diet cannot be ignored. A number of foods and supplements have been found to worsen the condition while others are associated with relief. In general, diets that have high levels of omega 3 fats are beneficial in the reduction of stiffness and pain. Others include those with gamma linolelic or GLA. Always remember to consult your doctor before trying out any new form of treatment.
Drugs continue to play a vital role in the management of arthritis symptoms. The main classes of drugs used are analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. It has been observed that the dosage and number of drugs needed to control the symptoms increase as the condition progresses. This makes it more difficult for some patients to remain compliant to what has been described and also increases the risk of experiencing serious side effects. These, as well as other reasons, have created the need to have alternative therapies.
Weight loss has been shown to be hugely beneficial in the management of this problem. Since excessive weight exerts undue stress on major joints and hastens degenerative changes, it has been argued that reducing this stress through weight reduction may slow down progression of the condition or reverse some of the changes. Indeed, some patients have reported a dramatic improvement of their symptoms by losing weight.
Physical exercise is one of the most popular ways of losing weight. Persons with arthritis will realize that it has several other benefits other than those related to weight loss. Among these benefits is the fact that flexibility is greatly improved. This is particularly important when stiffness has already set in. Less strenuous exercises such as swimming and taking part in aerobics sessions tend to offer more benefits than intense activities such as walking and running.
Thermal therapy is an option one may consider in isolation or in combination with other forms of treatment. Among the most effective ways of making use of hot and cold therapies is by incorporating them into the daily routine. For instance, one may schedule to have a warm bath or shower every morning. This has been shown to help in pain relief. Using an electric blanket at night will achieve similar results.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been tried in the management of this condition with variable degrees of success. Acupuncture has emerged as one of the most widely used techniques under this category. The technique is performed by piercing a number of special needles into the body with the aim of restoring the flow of life energy.
It has been postulated that psychological stress has a role in the manifestation of symptoms. Therefore, reducing the stress may help control symptoms to some extent. Many strategies of stress management exist. Meditation and yoga are quite common and are used for the management of many physical, emotional and psychological conditions.
The impact of diet cannot be ignored. A number of foods and supplements have been found to worsen the condition while others are associated with relief. In general, diets that have high levels of omega 3 fats are beneficial in the reduction of stiffness and pain. Others include those with gamma linolelic or GLA. Always remember to consult your doctor before trying out any new form of treatment.
About the Author:
To seek instant arthritis relief Santa Cruz patients are welcome to our clinic. Take a tour of our practice now by clicking on this link http://www.eastwestclinic.net/our-practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment