It’s a fact of life that as we get older
our joints are more likely to play up and let us down. In the UK
it’s estimated that around eight million people have some
form of arthritis and that one in three people will suffer with
arthritis at some point in their lives.
There are actually around 200 different kinds of arthritis,
which means inflammation of the joints, with the most common being
osteoarthritis. Other types are rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing
spondylitis, cervical spondylosis and gout.
HOW JOINTS WORK
A joint is where two bones meet and throughout our body we have
a vast array of them that enable our bones to move smoothly when we
walk, lift or hold objects, for example. Ligaments hold the joint
together and keep it stable. Covering the ends of the bones is
smooth, hard cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and also
allows the bones to move easily. Cartilage is nourished by fluid
that also keeps the joint lubricated. If the structure or
functioning of a joint is upset, then pain, swelling and stiffness
are likely to develop, making everyday and pleasurable activities
more difficult to do.
WEAR AND TEAR
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is caused by
‘wear and tear’ of a joint. In osteoarthritis, over
time the protective cartilage is worn away so that bare bones rub
together, which is why it is also known as ‘degenerative
arthritis’. This wear and tear makes the joint stiff, painful
and creaky. Any joint can be affected but it is the knees, hips and
hands that are troubled most often since throughout life these
joints do a lot of work.
Mention arthritis and most people think of their older friends
and relatives. It’s true that osteoarthritis is more likely
to occur as someone gets older, but younger people can develop it
too.
Anyone who puts excessive strain on a joint, such as athletes
who train intensively or those involved in occupations whereby
joints are repetitively used - for example, machine operating or
cleaning - are also at risk of osteoarthritis. Suffering a joint
injury in an accident, for example, means it is more likely to
develop in that joint. It should come as no surprise that, as with
many health problems, being overweight plays a large part in poor
joint health and function. Excess weight puts the joints under
pressure, making them more likely to suffer damage and wear. So
although increasing age is the greatest risk factor for
osteoarthritis, other things contribute too.
KEEPING THE JOINTS HEALTHY
Whether someone already has arthritis or not, it’s
important to try and keep joints in good working order with regular
exercise and a healthy diet. Exercise keeps the supporting muscles
and ligaments strong and relieves pain.
Combined with a healthy diet, exercise helps keep weight under
control. A healthy diet also provides calcium to keep the bones
strong: essential fatty acids are believed to reduce the process of
inflammation and subsequent joint damage and vitamins A, C, and E
and the mineral selenium may help prevent and treat the symptoms of
osteoarthritis through their antioxidant action. All these
nutrients for good joint health are also available in supplement
form.
Losing weight also helps to relieve damaging pressure on the
joints and contrary to popular belief, regular exercise, for
example swimming, is beneficial for osteoarthritis since it
improves the function of the joints and helps reduce pain.
Moreover, exercise helps to reduce weight too. So the negative
cycle of joint pain, inactivity, weight gain and worsening joint
pain can be reversed to become exercise, weight loss, less joint
pain and more activity. Physiotherapy and osteopathy can be of
great help too.
If exercise and activity are to be achieved and the benefits of
these gained, then first of all the painful symptoms of
osteoarthritis need to be relieved. Conventional painkillers or
complementary treatments can usually achieve this. Good natural
treatments are extract of green-lipped mussel and devil’s
claw. Ginger is a very good natural anti-inflammatory that can be
eaten or taken as a supplement. Omega 3 fish oil works in a similar
way to conventional anti-inflammatory medicines and so a daily dose
helps many to overcome their joint problems. Garlic is also
believed to help by increasing blood flow to an affected joint that
in turn helps to calm down inflammation. Bromelain comes from the
stem of the pineapple plant and is an effective pain-reliever, as
is MSM. Another popular natural anti-inflammatory is curcumin found
in the Ayurvedic spice turmeric.
Probably the most talked about supplements for joint health are
glucosamine, a substance formed naturally in the body that is
involved in cartilage manufacture and repair, and chondroitin.
Glucosamine and chondroitin taken together or separately have long
been believed to help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and to help
keep the joints strong. It’s thought that they may even help
to repair damaged joints. A recent large study - Glucosamine
Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) - found that those with
moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain had significant relief when
taking glucosamine and chondroitin. A separate part of this study
is still ongoing and is examining whether the combination of
glucosamine and chondroitin can reduce or actually halt the
progression of osteoarthritis.
Although there is a degree of inevitability with regards to
osteoarthritis, it is not inevitable that the condition will cause
a person problems since despite having osteoarthritis, many people
are not troubled by it. When problems do arise, however, it’s
no longer a case of ‘just having to put up with it’.
Being positive about overcoming pain combined with appropriate
treatments and supplements enables many people with osteoarthritis
to continue doing the activities they enjoy and want to do.
Always consult a doctor before changing diet, taking
supplements or embarking on a new exercise regime.
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