| How much do you know about rheumatism? | | | | spinal cord and hip. |
| You probably know it's related to pain in the joints. | | | | Currently, there are no cures for OA and RA but the |
| Yes, joints are only one affected area. Therefore, | | | | treatments can help to relieve pain and improve joint |
| rheumatism is a broad term that also includes | | | | movement so that patients can still go about their |
| inflammation of bones, muscles, tendons and even | | | | daily tasks. |
| internal organs. But let's focus only on joint pain with | | | | The treatment often comes as a program - |
| you here. | | | | medications, physical and occupational therapy, |
| What Causes Joint Pain? | | | | reduction of joint stress and sometimes surgery. But |
| The two most common causes of joint pain are | | | | if a patient is also obese, weight loss will inevitably |
| osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). | | | | become part of the program. |
| Other factors can be sprain, fracture, gout in the big | | | | Right Exercise can Help Obese OA / RA Patient |
| toes, septic arthritis or polyarthritis. | | | | 1. Flexibility exercises help to maintain or improve the |
| Let's take a closer look at osteoarthritis and | | | | flexibility in affected joints and surrounding muscles. |
| rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | This contributes to better posture, reduced risk of |
| Osteoarthritis (OA) | | | | injuries and improved function. |
| It's a condition where spurs grow and cartilage | | | | 2. Strengthening exercises are more vigorous to |
| degenerates in the joints, leading to joint pain. It's | | | | work muscles a bit harder. Stronger muscles can |
| also known as "wear-and-tear" arthritis. Some | | | | better support the joints and cushion the shock |
| symptoms are: | | | | impact to the painful joint. They also assist in better |
| -- The stiffness in the joints disappears within 30 | | | | function and reduce bone loss due to inactivity, |
| minutes from the time the patient wakes up but | | | | inflammatory arthritis and use of certain medications |
| aggravates later in the day after repetitive use or | | | | such as corticosteroids. |
| after a prolonged inactivity. | | | | 3. Aerobic exercises such as walking and swimming |
| -- Starts with one joint. | | | | are good for weight control as they work off the |
| -- Often happens in large joints or joints related to | | | | excess fats and replace with useful muscles. For |
| knee and hip. | | | | even better fat-burning results, you can engage in |
| -- An affected joint tends to look a little larger than | | | | anaerobic exercises like strength training. But you |
| normal. This is due to abnormal growth of the bone | | | | must consult your doctor and make sure to have a |
| next to damaged cartilage. | | | | certified trainer to guide you along such high-intensity |
| -- More common than rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | exercises that can cause injuries pretty easily. |
| -- Slow and gradual pain. | | | | 4. Body awareness exercises improve posture, |
| -- Usually affects older people. | | | | balance, joint position awareness, coordination and |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | | | | relaxation. This is especially important as the patient's |
| This is an autoimmune disorder due to the | | | | sense of balance and coordination may be impaired |
| malfunction of certain immune cells in the patient's | | | | due to the illness. |
| body which attacks the joints. Hence, he'll encounter | | | | Natural Arthritis Diet for Pain Relief |
| the following symptoms: | | | | Stay away from acidic stuff like coffee, tea, sugar |
| -- Morning stiffness lasts more than 30 minutes. | | | | and alcohol. You should also cut down on intake of |
| -- Warmth, swelling and pain often begins with the | | | | meat and seafood since these are high in cholesterol, |
| small joints of hands and wrists near the palm or the | | | | saturated fats, salt and toxins. For best results, I |
| small joints of toes. | | | | suggest you include these natural vegetarian foods |
| -- Affected joints are usually symmetrical such as the | | | | as a significant part of your diet:a) Fruits - avocadob) |
| same joints on both hands. | | | | Vegetables - spirulina, wheat grass products, carrots, |
| -- Can also trigger fever, fatigue, depression, loss of | | | | seaweeds, sproutsc) Whole grains - millet, wheat, |
| appetite, dry eyes and chest pain. | | | | brown rice, barley and oatsd) Nuts - pecanse) Soy |
| -- Can lead to joint deformities. | | | | and seeds - flaxseed, pumpkin and sesame |
| How does Obesity Worsen the Condition? | | | | This natural diet serves to help you maintain a |
| Although doctors have yet to prove if obesity | | | | healthy weight. According to the Arthritis Foundation, |
| causes rheumatism, they believe excess weight | | | | for every pound of weight lost, there is a four-pound |
| certainly doesn't help the patients. In fact, they | | | | reduction in the load exerted on the knee for each |
| believe obesity will increase the risk of both OA and | | | | step taken. Simply put, the less heavy you are, the |
| RA. | | | | less pain you suffer. |
| That's because the excess weight will add more | | | | Last but not least, whether you're suffering from |
| pressure on the inflamed joints, aggravating the pain, | | | | rheumatism or not, sticking to a healthy diet and |
| especially in the affected joint areas around knees, | | | | regular exercise regime are always essential. |