What is rheumatoid arthritis? Arthritis is a general term for a family of diseases that cause joint pain and stiffness. Over 100 types of arthritis have been identified. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 50 million Americans suffer from some type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious of these.
Rheumatoid arthritis is different from some other types of arthritis in that it is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the immune system of the body begins to act in a harmful way, attacking the body instead of helping it.
Scientists are unsure of the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis, although there seems to be a genetic connection. It is 2-1/2 times more prevalent in women than in men. The disease usually presents itself between the ages of 25 and 50, but it sometimes occurs in childhood.
Arthritis Symptoms
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may notice that your joints feel tender and stiff when you wake up in the morning.
Rheumatoid arthritis is usually worse in the morning. It often begins in the finger joints, then over time it can progress to other joints in the body such as the hips, knees or shoulders. In its advanced stages, rheumatoid arthritis can cause hard lumps to develop under the affected joints, impeding movement and causing pain.
One of the unusual symptoms of this kind of arthritis is that it is symmetrical. That is, you will feel pain in the same joints on opposite sides of the body at once.
What Causes Arthritis Pain
In this type of arthritis, the immune system begins to act abnormally, attacking healthy joints. Immune cells move from the blood to the joints, inflaming and irritating them. The irritating fluid builds up in the joints, and wears down the protective cartilage which provides cushioning between the bones. The buildup of fluid is what causes the feeling of inflammation, stiffness and tenderness.
What Helps Arthritis Pain: Diet And Exercise
There is significant help for the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
Eating a healthy diet can help with RA symptoms. Fish and nuts are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to reduce inflammation. Dark leafy greens and berries are high in anti-oxidants, which boost the immune system. Overall, a diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein is recommended as the best diet for people with RA. Supplement your diet with vitamin B6 and folate, which are often lacking in people with arthritis.
If you are overweight, losing weight will help with symptoms, since excess weight can make them worse. You should also stop smoking, since smoking has been suggested as a possible cause of this type of arthritis.
Exercise is medically proven to help with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. Low-impact aerobic exercises are recommended, such as walking, dancing, stair-climbing and swimming. Isometric exercises are also a good choice. Stretching exercises help with hand and wrist pain.
Natural Treatments And Alternatives – What to Take for Arthritis
Conventional medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis usually includes anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid medication to ease symptoms. Doctors also prescribe medications to stop the harmful action of immune cells by suppressing the immune system. Unfortunately, because the immune system is suppressed, infection and even serious illnesses can be side effects of the medication.
If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, there are a number of natural alternatives that you should consider trying. Natural treatments can help you gain control over your arthritis symptoms. More symptom relief can mean better quality of daily life for you to enjoy your family, friends, work, and hobbies.
Cold compresses can help to reduce swelling and inflammation at the very beginning of an arthritic attack, but they should only be used for a short period of time, about 15 minutes. Heat treatments are preferable, as they help with the stiffness of arthritis. Moist heat is the best, so try a warm shower or bath, or apply a moist heating pad or warm moist towel to the area.
Acupuncture seems to help some people with rheumatoid arthritis pain, as does the use of visualization techniques. In visualization, you close your eyes and picture yourself in a quiet, relaxing setting. This helps to reduce stress and can help to reduce pain levels as well.
Fish oil supplements can help defeat the effects of RA in your body. Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which help with inflammation in the body. Green tea extract is another helpful anti-inflammatory. If you are taking prescribed medication, you should ask your doctor before taking natural supplements, to avoid any possible interactions with your medication.
A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis may be frightening at first, but if you take proactive charge of your symptoms, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are many things you can do to help defeat your symptoms and enrich your life. You can even get specialized lab tests that go beyond what your doctor usually tests – these can look for the root causes of your inflammatory problems and help guide you to the best ways to fix them for your individual needs.
I invite you to watch this special webinar presentation to find out the real reasons behind what’s going on with your health …
… and how to finally get relief from these symptoms once and for all!
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