Arthritis in hands can cause so much discomfort. People suffering from arthritis in their hands usually cannot do their daily activities anymore. Even a simple activity such as holding utensils when eating can be troublesome and difficult.
- Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that occurs in the hands.
- Osteoarthritis can be due to wear and tear of the joints brought about by old age.
- Osteoarthritis in the hands will form lumps or nodules around the knuckles.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and gout can also happen in the hands.
- Rheumatoid arthritis can cause hand deformations.
- Joints will be red and swollen if it is caused by rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
- Joint pains can worsen over time.
- Arthritis in the hands usually occurs in the carpometacarpal and the wrist joints.
- Arthritis in the hands is more common in women than men.
- Women are affected with arthritis at a younger age compared to men.
Prevention And Treatment Of Arthritis In Hands
It is difficult to cure arthritis in the hands, but there are ways on how one can prevent them. Here are also remedies that can help elevate pain in the hands.
- Take care of the joints while still young. It is important to start caring for the joints while still young.Avoid physical activities that can strain the joints.
- Maintain joint mobility. It is important to move the hands and fingers from time to time.
- Physical therapy can help restore mobility of the hands.
- Avoid hard, physical labor. Heavy physical labor can result to arthritis in the future.
- Maintain the ideal body weight. Obese and overweight people are prone to arthritis.
- Eat healthy diet and avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar.
- Avoid nicotine, alcohol and caffeine as they are said to increase the chance having arthritis.
- Cortisone injections may be prescribed by doctor that can help in the inflammation of the hands.
- Ice and heat treatment. This can help relax stiff joints, improve motions of the hands and reduce swelling.
- Taking in joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Both are necessary in the formation and rehabilitation of cartilage.
- Joint replacement surgery. This is necessary if the joints are eroding and causing friction to each other.
- Surgery. This can help correct hand deformities due to arthritis.
Devil’s Claw Herb for Arthritis Cure:
Deep in Africa’s Kalahari Desert lies the ‘œDevil’s Claw’, a medical herbal plant that may hold the effective solution in the treatment of Arthritis. In United States of America, ‘Devil’s Claw’ extracts are undergoing II Phase of clinical trials to review their effectiveness in the treatment of arthritis of the hips and knees.
But, the sad part is that while the requirement for the beneficial plant is gradually increasing, the availability is dwindling. African Subcontinent has been drought ridden for several years now, which has resulted in the herbal plant being pushed to the verge of extinction. However, scientists claim to have succeeded in reproducing the active ingredients of the plant, through a technique called ‘bio-factories’, which will help in production of huge volumes of the rare plant’s extract.
As per Milen I. Georgiev, a scientist actively involved in environment protection in Bulgaria, for over centuries, ‘Devil’s Claw’ has been used by Africans for treatment of several conditions ranging from fever and diarrhea to blood disorders. The two chemicals that have been found to be beneficial in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions of the bones are harpagide and iridoid glycosides.
Home Remedies for Arthritis:
- Clinically, inflammatory arthritis tends to have acute exacerbations, in which symptoms appear with a pronounced effect and then subside for sometime. Acute exacerbations occur for different durations and differ in intensity. Hence, associating the clinical symptomatology with the dietary intake will only increase your prejudice towards different foods as these remissions may be a mere coincidence.
- Fasting is used as a method to treat arthritis, yet there is very little evidence about its effectiveness. Make sure you don’t overdo it and also take essential supplements like vitamins and minerals during the fast/diet.
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate are components of the human cartilage, bone and tendons. These supplements will help keep your bone and cartilage healthy.
- Gamma-Linolenic Acid (a type of Omega-6 fatty acid) has an ameliorating effect on the symptoms of arthritis.
- Being overweight is associated with developing arthritis. Being overweight results in increased stress on the knees and spine. Overweight individuals are also known to develop osteoarthertis on non weight bearing joints like fingers and hands.
- Exercise is a crucial component of the weight loss regime. However patients with arthritis find it difficult and painful to undertake any exercise. Activities like exercise in water reduce the level of strain on the joints and enable the individual to loss weight effectively. A balanced diet will assist in the process of weight loss.
- Arthritic patients should specifically avoid inflammatory foods like red meat, eggs, and fried foods, foods cooked in poly unsaturated oils like corn or sunflower oils, refined foods, processed sugar, food containing gluten ( wheat flour and bran), white potato, chocolates, milk and milk products. Though it is not practical to avoid inflammatory foods all the time it is advisable to steam, bake, or boil foods instead of cooking them in high heat.
Tips for Arthritis Cure:
Consume one pineapple per week. The fruit is loaded with a compound called ‘œbromelain’ which effectively reduce edema and pain of arthritis.
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