Suffering From Arthritis? These Foods Help Provide Quick Relief

From boldsky.com

Arthritis means pain and this might be anyplace in the muscles or the bones that the disease affects; the joints particularly endure the brunt and are extremely painful.

This is particularly true if there has been an injury or there are no enough proper nutrients within the body to fix the joint. Damage from this condition could also cause joint weakness and deformities and disrupt daily activities.

A typical treatment of arthritis involves changes in lifestyle and physiotherapy. The last alternative left for the doctors to alleviate the patients from suffering is joint replacement operation.

Today in this article we shall talk about certain foods that if consumed on a regular basis can provide relief from arthritis.

1. Ginger & Garlic: Include more spice into your diet. The ingredients present in these will help to provide relief from arthritis. Include garlic, ginger and onion in your diet. Have these raw with salad or add them to the curries that you are making on an everyday basis. These are highly beneficial in providing relief from joint pain.

2. Ghee: You need some healthy fats to lubricate your joints. Hence, add some ghee or clarified butter to your food as garnishing.

3. Olive Oil: Cook your food in healthy oils like olive oil.

4. Nuts & Seeds: Also have some nuts and seeds like walnuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. These also provide the required vitamins to the joints and relieve pain.

5. Wholegrains: Always go for whole grain foods and avoid white foods like white bread, etc. Also avoid taking sugar and table salt.

6. Honey: Instead go for natural sources of sweetness like honey, dates, jaggery and brown sugar.

7. Rock Salt: Instead of table salt, go for rock salt or sea salt. These are also high in minerals.

8. Vitamins: Talk to your physician and make sure to take vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplements. The shortage of these two vitamins can lead to joint pain. Avoid sour foods; however, make sure to have vitamin C enriched foods like guava to get relief from joint pain.

http://www.boldsky.com/health/disorders-cure/2017/suffering-from-arthritis-foods-ginger-garlic-help-provide-quick-relief/8-vitamins-pf145055-110375.html

THE DOCTOR IS IN: Four tips for managing your arthritis in cold weather months

By Dr Adam Parker

Potential links between cold weather and arthritic pain have been studied and debated for years. While there is no definitive link between two, the mind can play a role in how one perceives pain.
Whether or not the cold air is triggering pain in patients with arthritis, it’s easy to get swept up in the holiday season and lack of outdoor activities and forget to properly manage the condition.
Here are few tips that will help make the winter months a little less painful:

1. Find an indoor pool. Swimming is a low-impact activity that is beneficial to the joints. Many local gyms and clubs have indoor pools that are heated. Swimming, water walking and water aerobics are a great way to stay warm and relieve pain.
2. Exercise. Many people let their exercise regimens lapse during the holiday season and winter months. Exercise has a positive effect on range of motion and pain in joints affected by arthritis, so don’t stop moving.
3. Eat healthy. Don’t forget to pack your diet with fish, citrus and green veggies. Fish are full of Omega-3s, which can help reduce inflammation. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are loaded with Vitamin C and leafy, green vegetables like Kale and spinach are laden with Vitamin K. Both can reduce markers of inflammation in the bloodstream.
4. Consider a supplement. If maintaining a healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis aren’t making a significant impact, it might be time to ask your physician if supplements are right for you. It’s important to consult your physician before starting any supplements, so you can discuss how they might affect you and how they might react with any other medications you may be taking.

http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/stcharles/the-doctor-is-in-four-tips-for-managing-your-arthritis/article_86b2e224-f539-52c9-b76c-9078fb942e88.html

11 best essential oils for arthritis: Control arthritis and inflammation

From belmarrahealth.com

When treating arthritis, essential oils can be an effective home remedy. Research has found that essential oils may aid in symptom relief as they offer anti-inflammatory properties and treat other symptoms related to arthritis (for example, anxiety).
Many patients choose essential oils as a treatment option for arthritis because they are generally safe to use and are associated with minimal side effects.
The use of essential oils is becoming commonplace with the rising popularity of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses scent to promote a physiological response. Users report relaxation, stress relief, and overall comfort.
Essential oils can be used in other practices as well, including acupuncture and massage therapy. Many patients combine the use of essential oils with their traditional treatment for extra benefits.

What the research says about essential oils for arthritis

Numerous studies have pointed to the benefits of essential oils in treating and managing arthritis symptoms. A 2010 animal study found that essential oils prevented joint swelling. Even after inflammation peaked, essential oils were found to relieve pain by 68 percent.
Essential oils can also improve emotional health. Arthritis patients often complain about anxiety and stress, but using lavender oil can help combat those emotions to promote calmness instead. In clinical trials, lavender oil was found to successfully reduce anxiety. An alternate study had patients sniff vanilla and found that it greatly reduced stress as well.

How to use essential oils for arthritis

The first and most important point to consider prior to using essential oil is that they must be diluted to avoid irritation, as they are highly concentrated. Common carrier oils you can use to dilute your essential oil are coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil.
For every ounce of carrier oil use about 12 drops of the essential oil.
At first, you should test this combination on an area of your skin and wait 24 hours to determine any possible reaction. If no reaction occurs, your mixture is safe to use.
If you’re using an essential oil for aromatherapy purposes, you can use it directly and either saturate a cotton ball and sniff it or purchase an essential oil diffuser for your home to disperse the scent.

Risks of essential oils for arthritis

Generally speaking, essential oils are safe to use for arthritis treatment, but there are some risks involved. As mentioned, before applying on the skin, essential oils should always be diluted to prevent irritation.
Even with aromatherapy you may develop a headache or become nauseous. This could signal that the scent is too strong or that you need to try a different scent.

11 best essential oils for arthritis

Below you will find the top 11 essential oils to treat and manage your arthritis.
Orange oil: Lowers inflammation and reduces the associated pain.
Ginger oil: Helps reduce pain thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Frankincense oil: May help slow down arthritis progression as it inhibits certain inflammatory processes.
Lavender oil: Promotes calmness, reduces stress, and reduces dull aches and pains.
Cayenne pepper oil: Relieves muscle pain and throbbing sensations by nullifying the effect of compound P (a neurotransmitter).
Rosemary oil: Helps promote circulation and has anti-pain properties.
Chamomile oil: Helps stimulate circulation and promotes detoxification.
Birch essential oil: Reduces muscle, joint, and bone discomfort thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, disinfectant, diuretic, and astringent properties.
Lemongrass oil: Can provide long-lasting pain relief and improve mood.
Marjoram oil: Helps ease stiffness and pain, and offers relaxing and calming effects, too.
Basil oil: Contains anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve pain.

http://www.belmarrahealth.com/11-best-essential-oils-arthritis-control-arthritis-inflammation/

Older adults with arthritis need just 45 minutes of activity per week

From sciencedaily.com

Older adults who suffer from arthritis need to keep moving to be functionally independent. But in an examination of a goal that is daunting for most of this aging population, a new Northwestern Medicine study found that performing even a third of the recommended activity is beneficial.

Federal guidelines suggest achieving 150 minutes of moderate activity per week to prevent premature death and serious illness, however only one in 10 older American adults with arthritis in their knees meet these guidelines. Northwestern Medicine researchers wanted to determine a less overwhelming activity goal to get this population up and moving, and 45 minutes per week was that magic number.
Approximately one third of participants improved or had high function after two years. But those participants who achieved this minimum of 45 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, per week were 80 percent more likely to improve or sustain high future function over two years compared with those doing less. This finding was true for both men and women.
"Even a little activity is better than none," said first author Dorothy Dunlop, professor of rheumatology and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "For those older people suffering from arthritis who are minimally active, a 45-minute minimum might feel more realistic."
A rare examination of the type and intensity of physical activity older adults need to remain functional, the study was published online Dec. 28 in the journal Arthritis Care & Research.
"The federal guidelines are very important because the more you do, the better you'll feel and the greater the health benefits you'll receive," Dunlop said. "But even achieving this less rigorous goal will promote the ability to function and may be a feasible starting point for older adults dealing with discomfort in their joints."
Federal guidelines suggest achieving the 150 minutes of moderate activity done in sessions lasting at least 10 minutes to promote good cardiovascular health. But Dunlop and her team focused on simply keeping this population functioning over two years.
"We're looking for an older population who can be functionally independent," Dunlop said. "And we were interested in seeing what kind of physical activity might be beneficial to promote good function down the road. We found moderate-intensity activity rather than light activity, such as pushing a grocery cart, to be more valuable to promote future function."
Looking at the intensity of activity that older adults need to achieve to remain functional has not been systematically examined, Dunlop said.
Using sophisticated movement-monitoring accelerometers, the researchers measured the physical activity of 1,600 adults from the nationwide research study, Osteoarthritis Initiative, who had pain, aching or stiffness in their hips, knees or feet.
"We found the most effective type of activity to maintain or improve your function two years later was moderate activity, and it did not need to be done in sessions lasting 10 minutes or more, as recommended by federal guidelines," Dunlop said.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170109150034.htm

Experience The Magic of Ayurveda in Action for Everyday Aches and Pains

By Harshad Jethra

We often suffer from body aches but sometimes the causes are not known to us.
It could be diet, too much exercise or even lack of exercise.
Dealing with body aches could be tough, but going for painkillers is just not the right way to go about it.
Once a while, a painkiller or two might do the trick, but when one gets into a habit, it could be detrimental for our health and well being. And even the immunity could be affected.
While physiotherapy stays as an effective methodology, getting in touch with a physiotherapist could be tough.
In such a scenario, topical medications can work wonders for everyday body aches.
People sometimes consider topical medications to be plain analgesics that work locally without affecting the body, and offer temporary relief from pain and discomfort.

But in essence, by going for a topical medication, one could work very effectively towards healing the damage!
Ayurveda is a rich ancient science which is broadly focused on healing by making use of herbs and herbal treatments. Over centuries, it has worked effectively as a healing methodology.
By using the hidden power of herbs, our body can benefit tremendously. And this can work very effectively even while one suffers from bone damage, while one heals from an accident or if one is bothered by osteoporosis.
There are some very unique advantages that going for an herbal medication offers.
1. This helps one get over the damage which may have occurred to the bones or muscle tissue.
2. Overall health of an individual is accentuated, as herbal products are 100% natural.
3. The risk of occurrence of a side effect is nearly negligible.

4. Even if a side effect does occur, it is possible to overcome the same with minimum efforts, because the side effect is likely to be very mild.
5. These are pretty much effective for allowing one to get over the pain and discomfort as well.
6. Most importantly, an advantage that going for a topical medication offers is that it can act as a simple DIY home therapy for aches and pains.

7. As a medical condition like spondylitis starts healing by itself, you might not feel the requirement to go for specialized treatments.
8. There might be no need to go for pills as well. So you could lead a healthier and happier life, while the healing of the muscuoskeletal disorder takes place.
Just as an example, Kalonji is oil which has been used for healing purposes since ancient times. Alternately, Kalonji seeds very often form a part of diet in India, and even the Middle East.
Black seeds of Kalonji have over a 100 medicinal components. These are antiseptic and are beneficial for disorders like blood sugar, blood pressure and arthritis. This also helps build up immunity.

In particular, when used as a topical medication, the kalonji oil is known to be particularly helpful for curing all bone and muscle related disorders, like back pain, cervical spondylitis, arthritis and spondylitis. Bhairav Oil is a tremendous Ayurvedic remedy which is made from Kalonji seeds as the base material. Other major ingredients of the Bhairav oil are Shudh Gugal and Revendchini, each of which has been listed as a highly effective alternative for treatment of all joint related ailments and disorders.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Experience-The-Magic-of-Ayurveda-in-Action-for-Everyday-Aches-and-Pains&id=9611841

Living with arthritis? Simple lifestyle and exercise tips to improve your joint health

From belmarrahealth.com

Taking care of your joint health should be a priority, especially when you hear about the millions of people living with arthritis. Arthritis is really a term used to describe a lot of joint pain or joint diseases. There are in fact over 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. What people need to know is that in many cases lifestyle adjustments and exercise can go a long way in improving the health of your joints.
People of all ages and backgrounds get arthritis. In fact, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. An overwhelming 50 million adults and around 300,000 children do have some kind of arthritis. It is true that it happens more often among the elderly, but the more you know about the condition the better prepared you will be to prevent it, as well as improve your condition if you are ever diagnosed with arthritis.

Simple lifestyle tips for healthy joints

Living with arthritis does not mean that everything stops. Your joint health can be improved or, at the very least, you can prevent further deterioration of the joints by still participating in physical activities. The following exercises for arthritis are what you would call low-key fitness, but they can make a difference. There are also some general tips for arthritis listed here that many people with the condition have found helpful.
Play video games: Today there are gaming systems that get you off the couch. You can play tennis, baseball, and boxing games. Studies show some of these games can burn calories faster than a brisk walk.
Walk the dog: A dog is the perfect motivation for walking every day. The pet needs to burn energy and you need to keep your joints flexible and your muscles strong.
Wash the car: Washing the car means you can get a workout and a shiny vehicle at the same time. Scrubbing and walking around the car is good for the joints.
Make a play date: Get together with some friends and participate in a physical activity together.
Carry groceries. The shopping cart can be a crutch, so instead grab a basket and carry your groceries. The weight adds intensity to walking and helps build strength.
Clean the house: Avoiding this chore is a mistake. Washing windows, hanging laundry, and cleaning the bathroom all count as moderate exercise.
Dance through chores: Some chores do little to raise your heart rate, so when you have to empty the dishwasher, dust, or cook, why not dance around while you do it and get some good exercise?
Get busy in the garden. A rake or shovel can increase your heart rate, improve joint flexibility, and improve muscle strength.
Try volunteering: You can volunteer your time and be active at the same time. Research shows that seniors who volunteer have a better sense of wellbeing.

Hike or ride a bike: If stores, the library, or park are close enough, hike or ride a bike to get there. It will be easy on your joints.
Use stairs: Whenever possible, avoid elevators or escalators and take the stairs.
Park in last spot: When at the mall, office, or market, try parking in the spot farthest from the entrance. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for arthritis.
Take a class: You can learn a new activity like how to golf or dance salsa.
Make cooking easier: Reorganize the kitchen so that cooking essentials are between shoulder and thigh height. Also, make the counter thigh height since it makes stirring and rolling dough easier.
Open cans and jars. Consider investing in an electric can or jar opener.
Get out of bed easier: Roll onto one side and let your feet over the edge then push up with your torso. Some people install grab bars near their bed to make it easier to get up.
Dress without stress: Wear slip-on clothes instead of clothes that require pulling over the head. Put larger pulls on zippers to make it easier to grasp and choose raglan style sleeves over tailored sleeves. Many people with arthritis find avoiding clothing with buttons is a good idea.

Easy exercises for patients with arthritis

There are exercises that can be too vigorous for those who suffer from arthritis, but they need not be discouraged because there are plenty of other options to consider. For instance, there is the “chair stand” exercise. What you do is avoid flopping down in a chair. Instead, focus on controlling the motion, using your arms to assist you. Repeat the motion of sitting and standing 10 to 15 times. Some people who feel it is too easy, lower the height of their chair.
Here are some other easy arthritis exercises:
Yoga – This can promote a healthy immune system and reduce joint inflammation. The gentle stretching can be good for maintaining movement.
Pilates – This form of exercise helps stabilize your joints and strengthen muscles that support joints.
Water workout – The buoyancy of water can relieve pressure on the joints.
Tai chi – This involves slow, smooth movements that can strengthen the body, improve movement, and reduce arthritis pain. Twenty to 40 minutes of tai chi is a good average for most people with arthritis, but consult with a doctor to make sure.
Hand stretch – With this exercise, you simply spread your fingers as wide as they will go and then make a fist. Repeat the stretching and squeezing motion several times. If you are in the water, you can do this exercise, too. Open and close your hands under water or try squeezing a foam ball. Let the ball absorb water and squeeze it out.
Zumba – This is a Latin-inspired dance/fitness exercise that burns calories and stretches the muscles, but without being too hard on the joints. Most who have tried Zumba say it doesn’t take much time to learn the choreography.
These tips for arthritis are meant to get you moving in a safe way. If you are unsure about what exercise is best for your condition, talk to your family doctor or rheumatologist first. Also, keep in mind when you are new to an exercise you don’t have to do everything all at once. It is okay to do exercises in 10-minute spurts.
Arthritis comes along with an extensive list of symptoms, including swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased motion. An arthritis diagnosis is scary for people who are used to really active lives, but the arthritis tips we’ve provided should give these people a chance to assess how they can continue to be active and improve their joint health.

http://www.belmarrahealth.com/living-arthritis-simple-lifestyle-exercise-tips-improve-joint-health/