Arthritis is a very common problem and a very painful one for many people. If you have it, you probably know that surgery is an option to treat it, in some cases. If you’re waiting for surgery or your case doesn’t warrant surgery, though, you may be interested in other arthritis remedy ideas.
The first thing you need to do to treat arthritis is to actually identify what arthritis is. It’s inflamed joints, but that inflammation can come in one of two forms, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Let’s take a look at the difference between the two.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis seems to be a genetic condition. It’s caused by an endocrine system deficiency. It tends to flare up, rather than stay constant. Most often, it’s prevalent when a person is ill or stressed out for some reason. It can occur when someone is any age and usually starts in the toes or fingers, which can cause deformity and loss of use.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, usually occurs in older people. It’s caused when the cartilage between joints deteriorates over time. The joints that are mainly affected tend to be the hips, shoulders and knees. It’s worth noting that younger people can get osteoarthritis, too, but it’s usually after their joint has been injured in some way.
Natural Methods For Treating The Problem
There are many natural ways to treat arthritis, but some work better than others. A lot depends on the type of arthritis you have and the severity of it.
Copper is one remedy that could help. Copper tends to give the muscular system more strength and stability. You can get a little extra copper each day by wearing copper jewelry and letting your skin absorb it. You can also take a copper supplement if you want. The problem though, is that too much copper can be just as bad as not enough, but in other ways. So, take it with care.
Calcium is another substance that can help ward off arthritis, as you may have heard. Unhulled sesame seeds are a great source of calcium, but they can mainly only be found in specialty health food stores. Another option is that you could take calcium supplement pills.
Diet Plays A Role Too
It’s been suggested that eating bananas only for two or three days can help to reduce a rheumatoid arthritis flare up. Also, eating garlic and turmeric can reduce inflammation, regardless of which type of arthritis you have.
Of course, what not to eat for arthritis is just as important as what to eat for it. You should try to limit sugar, caffeine and red meat intake, for instance. Also, salt, wheat and corn can sometimes cause flare ups. So, don’t try an arthritis remedy if you’re eating too many of those things, since it’s unlikely to help.