Osteoarthritis and arthritis: effective natural remedies against joint disorders

Osteoarticular pain is the first cause of medical consultation for people over sixty years of age and the second cause of general care in health care centers. It is, therefore, one of the great health problems.

It especially affects developed societies. for several reasons: because the population this olderbecause the lifestyle induces to have more rheumatic problems and because physical suffering is being endured worse and worse.

However, degenerative osteoarticular diseases have always existed. It can be verified in the remains of ancient mummies that they have severe arthritic processes and deformities.

Not only that, but In earlier times, the different osteoarthritis had a higher incidence in younger people due to the combination of insufficient nutrition with significant physical trauma. due to fractures or bruises, or due to growth defects.

Causes of joint pain

One in five people suffer from osteoarthritis., also called osteoarthritis. It is linked to osteoarticular aging and affects three quarters of people over 65 years of age.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by bone wearwhich manifests itself with the presence of spicules, nodules, or abnormal growths in various parts of the bones.

For example, lateral growths usually occur in the vertebrae that affect the nerve roots; while in the joints of the limbs a reduction of the cartilage is usually observed joint together with abnormal bone growths, such as knobby growths on the joints of the fingers of the hand known as Heberden’s nodes.

Many authors have commented that the process of bone degeneration typical of osteoarthritis is actually a protection of the bone against overloads it has to bear, together with the progressive weakness of the bone tissue.

Thus, for example, over the years the vertebrae tend to flatten on their contact faces and increase their surface area to improve the consistency of the spinealthough this often entails pinching of the nerves and chronic pain.

exist factors that favor osteoarthritisand perhaps the main one is the genetic predisposition, against which little can be done.

Other factors are the obesity, previous bone deformities (due to previous fractures or significant stress on a joint) and previous cartilage alterations interarticular. endocrine diseases like diabetes or wrong diet They also influence their development.

How does osteoarthritis occur?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic process, with acute outbreaks or, rather, subacute, which are the typical pain crises.

Its most common sign is Joint pain and the stiffness, aggravated by movement.

Why does a crisis develop? painful is a mystery though moisture, cold, or excessive movement they can trigger it.

The stiffness is often due to not enough synovial fluid is secreted to lubricate the joints and make their movement easier.

It occurs especially after a period of immobilitysuch as after sleeping (morning stiffness is very common) or after sitting for a long time (for example, after a car trip).

In these cases the joint surfaces are dry and some movement is needed to eventually segregate the synovial fluid that makes that pain disappear or at least alleviates it.

He diagnosis osteoarthritis is easy, since in general they are usually found signs of bone degeneration in some joints (Knees, spine and hip especially, as they are the joints that support the greatest load and mobility).

It is also often observed narrowing of the joint space between bone and bone, due to the fact that the inner cartilage that serves as padding and protection is gradually reduced and loses its essential cushioning function. If it is observed, it is that osteoarthritis is already underway.

This doesn’t mean it has to hurt all the time.but it does mean that the person will never be able to completely get rid of this problem.

How does rheumatoid arthritis occur?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a process that suffers about 1% of the population. Unlike osteoarthritis, which affects the large load-bearing joints more, arthritis It occurs especially in smallsuch as hands and feet.

In a first phase intra-articular synovial tissue is markedly inflamed, presenting inflammation, redness and swellingwhich causes a thickening of the articular cartilage.

In a second phase there is an intense cell proliferation articular with release of enzymes.

and in one thirdthese secreted liquids dissolve and wear away the cartilage and bone, producing erosions and anomalies that become permanent.

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown.although it is known to have a autoimmune componentthat is, that the body’s own defense system inflames and erodes the joint tissue.

Just as osteoarthritis affects men as well as women, rheumatoid arthritis is a much more feminine diseasesince for every affected man there are three women who suffer from it.

These people end up having the very deformed hands, with noticeably deviated fingers and very thickened and ossified joints.

How to treat gouty arthritis?

Gouty arthritis is a consequence of the accumulation of uric acid in the body and therefore in the joints, especially in the most distal or extreme parts of the body, such as the fingers or toes.

Gout or uric acid is a metabolic disorder produced by a excessive consumption of purineswhich abound in meat foods and especially in shellfish, but in general in all diet rich in protein (animal or vegetable).

These purines have to be eliminated in the urine and, since either due to an excess consumption or a deficit of elimination (most likely it is for both causes), the levels of urate or uric acid increase. So microcrystals are formed in the plasma that are deposited in the joints little.

Its treatment is essentially dietary and consists of a diet low in protein and very rich in water and fluids. that allow the correct elimination of this excess acid.

What plants help against pain and inflammation of the joints?

Medicinal plants and dietary supplements offer a valid alternative, although mild, in the treatment of joint pain. If you are used to the big anti-inflammatory remedies you may not think they provide enough relief, but with certain habits of life and perseverance it can be verified that they work.

devil’s claw root (Harpagophytum procumbens) is perhaps the best plant anti-inflammatory remedyalthough three to six capsules should be taken daily between fifteen and thirty dayswillow bark (Salix alba) is rich in salicylates, with clearly anti-inflammatory action. It can be taken in extract or in decoction, boiling 30 grams of bark in a liter of water for half an hour over low heat, and then letting it settle before filtering it.black currant leaves (Ribes nigrum)stimulate the adrenal cortex and allow the release of internal cortisone, of anti-inflammatory action. They are used in combination with other plants such as devil’s claw or willow, or both. Six capsules daily between fifteen and thirty days.horsetail capsules (Equisetum arvense) powdered (attention, not their infusions!) are useful to strengthen the ligaments and give them greater elasticity, due to its high content of silicic acid. They are taken in small doses over long periods. Externally, the Rosemary oil. It is prepared by mixing 25 cc of rosemary essential oil in half a liter of alcohol, or better still, filling a bottle of alcohol with rosemary leaves and letting it macerate for two or three weeks. It exerts a notable anti-inflammatory action. You can also make a poultice with mustard seeds. 30 g are ground and boiled in half a liter of water for a while. Then a cloth is soaked in this liquid, wrung out a bit and hot applied to the painful area for about ten minutes, until the skin is slightly red. creams with capsaicin (the spicy principle of chili or chilli) have also been shown to be useful.

Do the bones hurt?

In general bone tissue is painless or slightly painfulsince it has few nerve endings.

But the periosteum or thin layer that covers the bones does have a large innervationas well as the areas of insertion of the tendons and the collagenous tissues of the joint capsule.

You could say that it is not the bone that hurts, but everything around it he.

The terms “osteoarthritis” and “arthritis” derive from arthrosis, joint, so the pain is more joint than bone.

Why do weather changes affect joint pain?

What affects are changes in atmospheric pressure, capable of modifying the space of the articular cavity. Altitude changes, which also involve barometric changes, can also produce painful crises.

Besides, cold also negatively affects the joint.

Does it improve osteoarthritis in pregnancy?

No, rather it can aggravate joint processes in the final phasewhen the weight of the child is already notable and involves an alteration of the spine.

Bone degenerations are not common in young women. They tend to suffer from more structural spinal abnormalities such as kyphosis or scoliosis, which can cause painful nerve compression.

Women who suffer from pain during pregnancy are strong candidates for osteoarthritis. fifteen or twenty-five years later.

Is medication necessary when there is arthritis and osteoarthritis?

It becomes desirable when the pain is intense buttaking into account that it does not cure anything, acts as a patch to temporarily alleviate the situation.

It is important not to abuse the medicationbecause what works the first time is no longer effective after a period of continuous use, which entails an increase in the dose and more undesirable side effects.

Magnesium carbonate and others Magnesium salts are useful to prevent excess muscle contractility. A muscular contracture aggravates the pain, while muscle relaxation relieves them. It is advisable to take magnesium in doses of 500 mg, 2 g per day if there is pain.

Besides, moderate doses of magnesium (one 500 mg tablet twice a week) are very helpful in preventing osteoporosis and improve calcium absorption.

Does it help to take shark cartilage?

There has been much discussion about the efficacy of shark cartilage in the treatment of articular processes.

In fact, this supplement is indicated primarily as a cancer preventativesince it seems to prevent angiogenesis or formation of new blood vessels.

But shark cartilagelike that of other animals, is a tissue rich in nutrients such as glucosaminethat it is believed that it can contribute to the formation of new cartilage.

As…