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Posted on December 29, 2008 by Sue Smith | Posted under   Health and Fitness


Treating Arthritis



Not only is arthritis a painful condition, it is the leading cause of disability in people aged fifty and older. There are many forms of arthritis, which is a condition in which there is joint inflammation or inflammation of the connective tissue around joints. Arthritis can be traced back thousands of years, as many skeletal remains dating from about 4500 BC show signs of joint deformities.

Arthritis is caused by many factors, some of which we have control over and others which we do not. For example arthritis can be caused by genetics, age and gender. Some symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling of the joints, and extreme fatigue. Arthritis is much more common in women than it is in men. More than two thirds of those with arthritis are women. There are some other factors over which we do have control. These factors include weight, occupation and exposure to bacteria and infection.

Even if diagnosed with arthritis, there are procedures and steps that can be taken to reduce the symptoms and pain that is associated with this condition.

Exercise
Moving around and keeping the joints in motion is a great way to reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis. Taking note to stretch before and after exercise as well as making sure to keep activity level at low to moderate impact is also very important. Exercise helps to build muscle strength and bone strength as well.

Complementary to exercise is diet. Eating a diet that is full vegetables and fruits with anti-inflammatory properties is also crucial. Carrying around extra weight is hard on the joints, so quick weight loss is the best way to quickly reduce symptoms. Also suppressing the appetite with an herbal supplement such as hoodia gordonii, is also an effective method.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Increasing in popularity, complementary and alternative medicine may be a useful strategy in lessening the pain associated with arthritis. Some of the more popular choices include: yoga, massage, magnet, and Tai Chi. These are great physical activities that help to lessen pain. Other herbal remedies that can be taken orally reduce joint inflammation.

Non-surgical Procedures
There are non-surgical procedures which can be useful in the lessening of arthritis pain. Some of these include spot injections of steroids. Other non-surgical procedures are the CAM options listed above.

Surgery
Usually a last resort, there are surgical procedures that can be done to provide relief from arthritis. These procedures include joint replacement and Artherodesis.



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Tags: ARTHRITIS, QUICK WEIGHT LOSS, HERBAL REMEDIES, HOODIA GORDONII
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