Arthritis Treatments

Arthritis isn't just a disease among the elderly -- this common joint condition can occur at almost any age and comes in dozens of forms, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and gout. Fortunately, numerous arthritis treatments can help people manage the condition's troubling symptoms. People who suffer from arthritis often experience joint stiffness and soreness in the fingers, hands, feet, hips and other parts of the body. For some people, arthritis can limit mobility or even cause permanent deformities. The basic treatment for arthritis is rest combined with anti-inflammatory medications. Beyond this basic treatment program, there are effective medical and natural approaches to treatment. Three of the top natural arthritis treatments are Capsaicin, Turmeric and Fish Oil. Read on to learn more about the top treatments for arthritis.

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  1. Is physical therapy helpful for treating arthritis?
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    Physical therapy and regular exercise are both helpful for managing arthritis symptoms. Regular physical therapy can help people regain or maintain mobility, especially following a major surgery such as a knee replacement. Exercise in general can help people with arthritis to maintain healthier body weights, which can help to reduce the severity of overall symptoms.

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  2. What is the benefit of fish oil in elevating arthritis symptoms?
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    There are omega-3 fatty acids in the form of EPA and DHA found in fish oil. These omega-3 fatty acids block cytokines and prostaglandins, which cause inflammation. They also are converted in the metabolic process to become strong anti-inflammatory chemicals, resolvins. This combination of effects reduces joint pain and provides more joint range of motion in arthritis patients.

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  3. What types of fish contain omega-3 fatty acids in the form of EPA and DHA?
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    Fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids are salmon and sardines. The environment of the fish also impacts the content of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish caught in the wild as oppose to farm-raised fish have been shown to have more of this beneficial fatty acid.

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  4. Which alternative therapies can help treat arthritis?
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    Several alternative therapies are recommended to people who've been diagnosed with arthritis. Acupuncture, hydrotherapy and massage are all used in conjunction with medical treatments to help alleviate the pain and stress caused by arthritis.

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  5. How does capsaicin treat arthritis?
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    It treats arthritis as a short-term reduction in the substance P, a pain transmitter, which helps to pass along pain signals to the brain. Capsaicin helps to keep this pain transmitter at low levels, so the intensity of pain is less. It can be taken orally or topically and works well on rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

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  6. Is surgery recommended for arthritis sufferers?
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    Surgery is used to treat arthritis when other treatment options have failed. Knee replacements and hip replacements are the most common forms of arthritis surgeries. These are major procedures with lengthy recovery times.

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  7. What are the top three medications for arthritis?
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    Medication is the first line of defense for people with arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are the most common arthritis treatment, in part because they can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. Steroid medications are sometimes prescribed to people with more severe arthritis symptoms, and immunosuppressive drugs are helpful for people with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and other forms that stem from immune system malfunctions.

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  8. What is turmeric?
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    Turmeric is a rhizomatous herb, perennial plant in the ginger family. Traditionally, it is an ancient herb touted as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is used often as a main spice in curry dishes and alike in both Indian and Asian cultures. The chemical curcumin is found in turmeric. This chemical reduces joint pain and swelling by blocking inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.

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