Weight Management
A healthier diet and lifestyle can help reduce weight, which in turn takes some of the strain off the cartilage and joints. This is particularly the case in osteoarthritis. By dropping weight, overweight people can reduce the future risk of arthritis in the future. And for those who are already dealing with the condition, it can minimize some of the symptoms while improving mobility.
For Gout – Eliminate High Purine Foods
Gout can be agonizing. The pain is often so intense that simple sensations such as placing a blanket over your feet can cause extreme suffering. There is controversy around the causes of gout. Many believe that it's caused by years of alcohol consumption coupled with a lack of proper diet and exercise. Those with a diet that lacks purine-neutralizing substances such as cherries, strawberries, and celery may also be more at risk for gout development.
Purine is a substance that's found within the body. When metabolized, purine becomes uric acid. A heightened level of uric acid production is commonly found in those with gout. Another factor that may play a role in developing gout is a lack of proper excretion of uric acid. Crystallization of the uric acid accounts for the swelling and intense pain experienced by those with the disease. Foods that are high in purine should be avoided: meat, beans, sardines, anchovies, scallops, alcohol, and diet soda all have high levels of purine and should be avoided if you wish to decrease your risk of developing gout.
Exercise Can Actually Help
If you've been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, chances are you've heard this advice before: exercise can be very beneficial to your joint and muscle health. Studies have shown that exercise can help reduce many of the oftenpainful symptoms that are associated with the disease. Improved joint mobility, increased muscle strength, and overall better health are just some of the benefits of exercise. Before you start any exercise regime, make sure to visit with your doctor. Over exercising can actually aggravate your arthritis pain.
In general, it's recommended that arthritis sufferers focus on low impact exercises that tone the body, retain and increase flexibility, and improve posture. These exercises fall into three main categories: mobility exercises, aerobic exercises, and strength exercises. Mobility exercises are those that seek to improve the patient's ability to stay flexible and retain or improve their range of motion. Aerobic exercises are those that improve overall cardiovascular fitness. Strength exercises include weight-bearing exercises that help build muscle strength and improve joint flexibility and stability. Remember that your exercise routine should be gentle enough so that it does not aggravate your arthritic symptoms.
Even though some regular physical activity is key for arthritis patients, it is also important to integrate periods of rest into your schedule. Never exercise if one or more of your joints feels hot or pained. Any feelings of warmth or hotness means that your joints are inflamed and you should never exercise on inflamed joints or muscles. What can you expect from your exercise routine? After roughly six weeks of regular exercise you can expect to notice that your balance has improved. Your posture will also be improved, especially if you have integrated mobility exercises into your exercise routine. And you should experience a reduction in your pain level if your arthritis is on the mild end of the scale.
Acupuncture
A recent federal study found that acupuncture can provide substantial relief for some arthritis sufferers. As part of a whole treatment approach, acupuncture has been proven to help elderly patients lead fuller and healthier lives, despite the debilitating effects of arthritis. The study was directed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
In the study, 570 elderly arthritis patients were treated with acupuncture for six months. At the end, they reported experiencing less pain and greater flexibility and mobility in the affected joints. Acupuncture is now being touted as a safe and effective treatment for arthritis. Specifically, this latest piece of research has demonstrated that acupuncture can help treat pain in the knees, which is often associated with osteoarthritis.
Acupuncture is a traditional form of Chinese medicine in which very thin metal needles are inserted into specific areas of the body. The needles are then moved and manipulated by the therapist, and in some instances they're stimulated using electricity. So how does all this help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis? It's unclear exactly how acupuncture works. Some scientists and researchers believe that acupuncture helps the body release the chemicals that cause pain and discomfort.
