How to Manage Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a denegration of the joints. It causes pain, inflamation of the joints and reduction in range of motion. In severe cases, joint replacement is indicated. This How To will tell you how to manage the illness to lessen it's severity.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Some exercise equipment
• Access to a pool
• Medication
• Doctor's exam

1. 
    
   Have a medical exam

   Diagnose the Problem
   Have a doctor's exam to establish whether your pain and stiffness problems are actually osteoarthritis. The osteoarthritis is by far the most common form of arthritis. The other is rheumatoid arthritis which is a system disease and can affect internal organs.
   Osteoarthritis generally starts in one joint and is often called the "wear and tear" arthritis.

2. 
    
   Simple stretching at any age

   Some Treatments include Stretching
   Once diagnosed, you can increase your range of motion through daily stretching.

3. 
    
   Join an aquatics class

   Swimming is Great
   Swimming takes the load off of joints because you're buoyant in the water. It strengthens the muscles around the troubled joints as well as your heart.

4. 
    
   Massage helps

   Massage
   Massage increases circulation to the affected joints.

5. 
    
   Walking helps. Do it with a friend.

   Chose Low Impact Exercises
   If your knees or hips are affected with osteoarthritis, you will want to discontinue activities which affect the joints in a high impact, sudden start or stop way. That includes jogging and tennis. Low impact exercises are better. They include walking, biking or the elliptical aerobic machine at the gym.

6. 
    
   Avoid alcohol

   Stay Away From Excessive Alcohol Consumption
   Alcohol tends to dehydrate the body including the joints.

7. 
    
   Ointments work but they can be smelly

   Ointments
   Arthritis pain ointments also work to provide a heat sensation, improving circulation. However, they are only temporary fixes and often smell strongly of menthol.

8. 
    
   Keep your weight in check

   Watch Your Weight
   Extra pounds add weight to the joints.

9. 
    
   Yoga

   Yoga
   Yoga provides great stretching exercise.

10. 
     
    Chondroitin sulfate

    Drugs
    Over the counter drugs can help, too. Try anti-inflammatories such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Chondroitin and glucosamine pills also seem to improve joint repair and lubrication. They are less immediate than anti-inflammatories because they need to build up in the system.

11. 
     
    Heating pad

    Alternate Heat and Cold
    When your joints are especially inflamed, apply heat first with a heating pad or sit in a warm bath to increats blood flow. Follow with application of ice or cold compress to lessen the inflamation.

Tips & Warnings

• Try various combinations of remedies and stick with the plan.
• Include regular exercise and stretching motions.
• Avoid high impact sports which jar the joint.
• Avoid alcohol which can dehydrate the joints.

Resources

• Arthiritis Foundation

[DrNancyMalik]

on 8/3/2008 Aconitum napellus: This remedy may be helpful for pain and inflammation that comes on suddenly after exposure to cold wind and weather. The person is likely to feel fearful, panicked, or agitated.

Apis mellifica: This remedy can be helpful in acute conditions with redness, tenderness, and swelling. Joints feel hot and have stinging pain. The hands and knees are often affected. Warmth can aggravate the symptoms and cool applications bring relief.

Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruised soreness can indicate a need for this remedy. Pain is worse from touch, and may occur in joints that were injured in the past.

Belladonna: Sudden flare-ups of arthritis with a sensation of heat and throbbing pain indicate a need for this remedy. The joints look red and inflamed, and the surface may feel hot to the touch.

Bryonia: This remedy can be useful for tearing or throbbing pai

[DrNancyMalik]

on 8/3/2008 Aconitum napellus: This remedy may be helpful for pain and inflammation that comes on suddenly after exposure to cold wind and weather. The person is likely to feel fearful, panicked, or agitated.

Apis mellifica: This remedy can be helpful in acute conditions with redness, tenderness, and swelling. Joints feel hot and have stinging pain. The hands and knees are often affected. Warmth can aggravate the symptoms and cool applications bring relief.

Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruised soreness can indicate a need for this remedy. Pain is worse from touch, and may occur in joints that were injured in the past.

Belladonna: Sudden flare-ups of arthritis with a sensation of heat and throbbing pain indicate a need for this remedy. The joints look red and inflamed, and the surface may feel hot to the touch.

Bryonia: This remedy can be useful for tearing or throbbing pai

[DrNancyMalik]

on 8/3/2008 Aconitum napellus: This remedy may be helpful for pain and inflammation that comes on suddenly after exposure to cold wind and weather. The person is likely to feel fearful, panicked, or agitated.

Apis mellifica: This remedy can be helpful in acute conditions with redness, tenderness, and swelling. Joints feel hot and have stinging pain. The hands and knees are often affected. Warmth can aggravate the symptoms and cool applications bring relief.

Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruised soreness can indicate a need for this remedy. Pain is worse from touch, and may occur in joints that were injured in the past.

Belladonna: Sudden flare-ups of arthritis with a sensation of heat and throbbing pain indicate a need for this remedy. The joints look red and inflamed, and the surface may feel hot to the touch.

Bryonia: This remedy can be useful for tearing or throbbing pai

[DrNancyMalik]

on 8/3/2008 Aconitum napellus: This remedy may be helpful for pain and inflammation that comes on suddenly after exposure to cold wind and weather. The person is likely to feel fearful, panicked, or agitated.

Apis mellifica: This remedy can be helpful in acute conditions with redness, tenderness, and swelling. Joints feel hot and have stinging pain. The hands and knees are often affected. Warmth can aggravate the symptoms and cool applications bring relief.

Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruised soreness can indicate a need for this remedy. Pain is worse from touch, and may occur in joints that were injured in the past.

Belladonna: Sudden flare-ups of arthritis with a sensation of heat and throbbing pain indicate a need for this remedy. The joints look red and inflamed, and the surface may feel hot to the touch.

Bryonia: This remedy can be useful for tearing or throbbing pai

[DrNancyMalik]

on 8/3/2008 Aconitum napellus: This remedy may be helpful for pain and inflammation that comes on suddenly after exposure to cold wind and weather. The person is likely to feel fearful, panicked, or agitated.

Apis mellifica: This remedy can be helpful in acute conditions with redness, tenderness, and swelling. Joints feel hot and have stinging pain. The hands and knees are often affected. Warmth can aggravate the symptoms and cool applications bring relief.

Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruised soreness can indicate a need for this remedy. Pain is worse from touch, and may occur in joints that were injured in the past.

Belladonna: Sudden flare-ups of arthritis with a sensation of heat and throbbing pain indicate a need for this remedy. The joints look red and inflamed, and the surface may feel hot to the touch.

Bryonia: This remedy can be useful for tearing or throbbing pai