| Red, burning, swollen and so stiff you don't want to | | | | Weight - maintaining a healthy weight will ease the |
| move…that's what those who suffer from | | | | load on the joints. |
| arthritis experience on a daily basis. If you know this | | | | Previous Injury - major injuries are likely to contribute |
| all to well, you are probably one of the 46 million | | | | to risk. |
| Americans (that's 1 out of every 5 people) that are | | | | Occupational Hazards - repetitive, high demand jobs |
| living with arthritis every day. To better understand | | | | increase risk. |
| how to get relief from this debilitating disease we | | | | Certain Sports - high level, high demand sports can |
| need to dive deeper into its root cause. | | | | contribute to arthritis (however, general exercise is |
| What is Arthritis? | | | | always a plus) |
| Arthritis actually means joint (arthr) inflammation (itis). | | | | Illness or infection- an infection in the joint or gout |
| Arthritis can be used to define a group of more than | | | | can lead to arthritis. |
| 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that can | | | | What we do know is that when you have arthritis |
| cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints or any | | | | your immune system goes into over-drive and |
| part of your body. Additionally, it can damage the | | | | causes the joints to swell and become inflamed. |
| joint cartilage which can lead to joint weakness, | | | | Therefore, treating the inflammation becomes key in |
| instability and visible deformities that can interfere | | | | managing the pain and discomfort associated with |
| and, in severe cases, limit a person's ability to | | | | this condition. |
| perform most basic daily tasks such as walking, | | | | Sadly enough, the Arthritis Foundation reports that |
| climbing stairs, using a computer keyboard, washing | | | | half of those Americans with arthritis don't believe |
| dishes or brushing your teeth. Arthritis can affect | | | | anything can be done to help ease their pain. You |
| anyone regardless of age and most commonly | | | | may be in that situation yourself, having thrown your |
| affects joints in the knees, hips, hands and spine. If | | | | hands up in frustration and simply decided to live with |
| left undiagnosed and not treated properly, arthritis | | | | your pain. The good news is that by reducing the |
| can cause irreversible damage to the joints, bones, | | | | inflammation you can significantly ease the painful |
| organs, and skin. Not to mention dramatically impair | | | | symptoms associated with arthritis. |
| your quality of life. | | | | Here are a few ways to reduce your inflammation: |
| Some of the types of arthritis which are associated | | | | Exercise - less weight equals less stress on joints |
| with - rheumatoidarthritis | | | | Diet - Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain |
| - gout | | | | products; limit sugar, salt and fat (especially saturated |
| - tendonitis | | | | fat found in animal products) |
| - bursitis | | | | Rest - a good balance between rest and activity is |
| - polymyalgia rheumatica | | | | the key to joint health |
| Arthritis-related conditions primarily affect the | | | | Over-the-counter and prescription medications - while |
| muscles and the bones but it is also considered to be | | | | these may provide temporary relief by masking the |
| systemic, affecting the whole body. Arthritis can | | | | pain they are not always get to the root of the |
| cause damage to any bodily organ or system, | | | | problem- inflammation. They can also have serious |
| including the lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, skin and | | | | side effects, especially with long-term use. |
| even the heart. The Arthritis Foundation sites two | | | | Natural anti-inflammatory supplements - probably the |
| independent studies (Brigham and Women's Hospital in | | | | most promising natural approach to reducing |
| Boston and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, | | | | inflammation in a long while. We recommend looking |
| Minnesota) both of which prove that the widespread | | | | for supplements containing systemic enzymes and |
| inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis is linked to heart | | | | all-natural herbal ingredients. |
| disease and an increased risk of early death. | | | | By taking these simple steps to reducing inflammation |
| No one really knows the exact cause of arthritis but | | | | you will be well on your way to managing your |
| there are certain risk factors to keep in mind: | | | | arthritis pain and it devastating effects on your mind |
| Genetics - likely to contribute to risk but no one | | | | and body. Everyone should strive to achieve a |
| knows how much. | | | | healthy and active lifestyle for optimal health and |
| Age - the older you are the more at risk you | | | | wellbeing. |
| become. | | | | |