How To Eliminate The Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the joints, or osteoarthritis as it is also called, is caused by the cartilage wearing down. This wear and tear can lead to you not being able to complete certain activities, but most people are still able to do it on a daily basis. Osteoarthritis usually affects the articular cartilage and affects the hands, knees, hips and spine. Discover natural ways you can eliminate the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the article below.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis and who can get it?
Contrary to many people’s beliefs, it is not just the elderly who can get osteoarthritis. Everyone can develop osteoarthritis, regardless of age, although it most often affects the elderly. It occurs more often in women and there are also hereditary factors in the picture.
One of the most feared symptoms of osteoarthritis is pain you feel best when you move fast and the joints contract. This pain usually disappears when you relax. However, as the osteoarthritis becomes stronger, the pain will become more intense and occur more often. Patients who struggle with this disorder may also have difficulty moving normally and may thus suffer from a progressive deformation of the joints.
How can I prevent osteoarthritis and pain at home?
Those suffering from osteoarthritis must go to the doctor to get a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. But there are also some things you can do at home to help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Although we recommend that you talk to your doctor about this first.
Keep your weight in balance
Obesity is one of the causes of this disorder. In addition, it means that it will develop faster. If you are overweight and you are struggling with this disorder, it is important that you start losing weight. You do not necessarily have to follow a strict diet that makes you hungry all the time. A low calorie diet should hold.
Heat and cold therapy
In general, heat is better when you want to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. But sometimes cold can actually work best. If you want to carry out this therapy, take a towel and place it where you feel the pain. This therapy allows you to relieve the pain and relax the muscles. If the joint with osteoarthritis is swollen, you should use a towel dipped in cold water.
Medicines
You should only be medicated according to your doctor’s recommendation. Because only they can decide which treatment is appropriate for your disease. There are many analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, gels, creams and pills on the market that are suitable for stopping the development of osteoarthritis, while relieving the symptoms. But do not self-medicate and always talk to a doctor before trying any of these treatments.
Training
Although exercise can cause severe pain to those struggling with osteoarthritis. Some exercises can be very effective in treating the symptoms. First of all, we recommend that you allow the joints with osteoarthritis to relax. But sitting still all day means that you constantly need help from others, and it can also make osteoarthritis worse. Therefore, you should carry out some simple physical activity, such as going for a walk, cycling or swimming. You can also talk to an expert about creating an exercise routine designed specifically to protect and strengthen your joints.
Relax
If you experience extreme pain due to osteoarthritis, it is best to stay calm. We recommend that you alternate between being active and relaxing throughout the day.
Footwear
If you have osteoarthritis of the hips, back or knees. It is very important that you wear shoes with a thick sole that can absorb the shock that occurs when your foot hits the ground. Avoid wearing high heels and look for flat soles.
Massage
To relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis, we recommend that you give yourself a light massage, without applying too much pressure. Here are a few products you can use when massaging:
- Ginger oil
- Rosemary oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Arnica oil
