One person out of nine suffers from osteoarthritis, making it one of the most common chronic diseases among humans. While not lethal, osteoarthritis may seriously impact one’s life and overall health condition. As this form of arthritis affects cartilage, its main effects include stiffness of joints up to the point where it is impossible to move the joint at all, and pain in the joints. Osteoarthritis commonly attack hands, knees, hips and spine, often effectively preventing the patient from actually moving.
Osteoarthritis, just as all other forms of arthritis, can’t be cured. Fortunately for those affected, it can be now kept in check and prevented, provided that you take the right steps before the situation aggravates.
Staying fit and in good shape is the first thing everyone suffering from osteoarthritis should do. There are three main reasons for that. First, you have to keep your joints from doing more than they can – and being overweight puts an enormous stress on the joints and speed up the cartilage loss. Then, joints work less hard if they are supported by strong muscles. Finally, a good diet will keep your body much less prone to osteoarthritis attacks.
The most common method of relieving pain is to use extremely high or low temperatures on the body. Hot baths are common methods of ensuring that the blood circulation will speed up, easing the pain, while cold water or ice applied on the sore joints will actually reduce the pain.
Over-the-counter pain killers such as Acetaminophen are also an acceptable solution for those who do not want to ask their doctors for some prescription drugs. If it doesn’t help though, contact your doctor immediately and ask for some stronger drugs. Just remember to learn about the side-effects – as you are going to take the pills for a long time, you’d better be prepared for all possible problems.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a necessary add-on to the diet of everyone suffering from osteoarthritis. Their anti-inflammatory effects are very well-known, and they are one of the few things that can reverse the course of arthritis (though even they can’t heal us completely). As they appear mostly in seafood, it is quite difficult to get enough of Omega-3 fatty acids without eating tons of fish. That;s why many doctors encourage their patients to take Omega-3 food supplements such as Omega Daily.
The best thing you can do is to stay in shape and be as relaxed as you can. Such factors as the overweight makes putting stress on the joints much easier, and lack of muscles makes the cartilage loss happen much faster. Generally, stay fit, balance your diet, use Omega-3 fatty acids supplement and everything will be all right.