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What is Arthritis?
Arthritis actually means joint (arthr) inflammation (itis). Arthritis can be
used to define a group of more than 100 rheumatic
diseases and other conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and
swelling in the joints or any part of your body. Additionally, it can damage
the joint cartilage which can lead to joint weakness, instability and visible
deformities that can interfere and, in severe cases, limit a person’s ability
to perform most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, using a
computer keyboard, washing dishes or brushing your teeth. Arthritis can affect
anyone regardless of age and most commonly affects joints in the knees, hips,
hands and spine. If left undiagnosed and not treated properly, arthritis can
cause irreversible damage to the joints, bones, organs, and skin. Not to
mention dramatically impair your quality of life. Some of the types of
arthritis which are associated with inflammation include:
Arthritis-related conditions primarily affect the muscles
and the bones but it is also considered to be systemic, affecting the whole
body. Arthritis can cause damage to any bodily organ or system, including the
lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, skin and even the heart. The Arthritis
Foundation cites two independent studies (Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota)
both of which prove that the widespread inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis is
linked to heart disease and an increased risk of early death.
No one really knows the exact cause of arthritis but there
are certain risk factors to keep in mind:
Genetics- likely to contribute to risk but no one knows how much. Age- the older you are the more at risk you become. Weight- maintaining a healthy weight will ease the load on the
joints. Previous Injury- major injuries are likely to contribute to risk. Occupational Hazards- repetitive, high demand jobs increase risk. Certain Sports- high level, high demand sports can contribute to
arthritis (however, general exercise is
always a plus)
Illness or infection- an infection in the joint or gout can lead to
arthritis.
What we do know is that when you have arthritis your immune
system goes into over-drive and causes the joints to swell and become inflamed.
Therefore, treating the inflammation becomes key in managing the pain and
discomfort associated with this condition.
Sadly enough, the Arthritis Foundation reports that half of
those Americans with arthritis don’t believe anything can be done to help ease
their pain. You may be in that situation yourself, having thrown your hands up
in frustration and simply decided to live with your pain. The good news is that
by reducing the inflammation you can significantly ease the painful symptoms
associated with arthritis.
Here are a few ways to reduce your inflammation:
Exercise- less
weight equals less stress on joints Diet- Eat plenty
of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products; limit sugar, salt and fat
(especially saturated fat found in animal products) Rest- a good
balance between rest and activity is the key to joint health Over-the-counter and
prescription medications- while these may provide temporary relief by masking
the pain they are not always get to the root of the problem- inflammation. They
can also have serious side effects, especially with long-term use. Natural
anti-inflammatory supplements- probably the most promising natural approach
to reducing inflammation in a long while. We recommend looking for supplements
containing systemic enzymes and all-natural herbal ingredients.
By taking these simple steps to reducing inflammation you
will be well on your way to managing your arthritis pain and its devastating
effects on your mind and body.
About the author: Fitness expert and best-selling author, CONTACT _Con-3F86C2E51 \c \s \l Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS, is the co-owner of www.losethebackpain.com.
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