Arthritis Remedies

Dangerous Painkilling Drugs.
Many people find they cannot tolerate the pain of arthritis without the use of painkillers. Those most commonly used are anti-inflammatories and narcotics. Regular, sustained use of these drugs can have serious side effects and can be potentially fatal.

Information on the website of the US Food and Drug Agency identifies non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as being responsible for an increase in the risk of heart attacks and strokes, particularly in elderly people,  who are most likely to suffer with arthritis.

"Based on the currently available data, FDA has concluded that an increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events appears to be a class effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)"

An alternative painkilling drug is Codeine. This does not pose the same dangers as anti-inflammatories but it can cause addiction and constipation and more importantly, drowsiness.

It is obviously a good idea if you can find other remedies to alleviate your arthritis pain, in view of the serious dangers inherent in the anti-inflammatories. There are other ways to tackle the problems of pain relief.

Foods for Arthritis -  Good and Bad.
Paying attention to your diet can make a significant contribution to reducing the pain of arthritis.   The World Health Organisation recommends which foods, in which proportions, make up a balanced diet. By identifying which ingredients are beneficial and which are harmful, you can make a big difference to the levels of pain that you suffer.

The Benefits of Exercise.
Even the thought of exercising can be intimidating for someone who is already in pain but if joints are not moved gently every day, the stiffness and pain will just get worse. The muscles, tendons and ligaments supporting the joints will gradually get weaker and movement will become even more painful.

Picking suitable exercises can minimise the pain and bring the most benefit. You should avoid impact on your joints, especially hips and knees. Swimming, cycling and walking are all ideal ways to get your circulation going and increase the blood flow.

Weight Loss.
If you eat a balanced diet, avoiding the foods which are bad for your arthritis and you take some regular gentle exercise, then you may lose some weight. This can only be a good thing if it helps reduce the strain on your body. Being overweight puts you more at risk of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.

Additional Dietary Help.
Some useful supplements are available, to provide help in strengthening joints and easing pain and stiffness. Glucosamine (sometimes combined with Chondroitin) is thought to help repair damaged cartilage: Cider Vinegar and honey is believed to help flush away acid deposits in arthritic joints: and studies have shown that Tart Cherries can provide arthritis relief.

You can find all you need to know about all the above at Arthritis Treatments