If you suffer from discomfort in your joints that is slowly progressing over time, osteoarthritis may be the cause of your symptoms. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage in your joints wears down over time and can make normal activities difficult. Dietary changes, exercise and medications to control pain are all helpful in controlling the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Background
Osteoarthritis typically affects older adults. Obesity and repetitive stress to your joints are also risk factors. It typically affects the joints of your hands, hips, knees, neck and lower back and can cause symptoms of pain, tenderness and stiffness. Osteoarthritis typically worsens over time and no cure currently exists. Fortunately, medications to reduce pain and dietary changes to maintain cartilage health and reduce further joint damage can be helpful.
Features
Ginger may help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis by decreasing inflammation. Ginger can be used in cooking or can be taken in the form of ginger extract. According to MayoClinic.com, avocado and soybean oil may slow cartilage degradation and promote cartilage repair in hip and knee joints. Furthermore, a heart healthy diet aimed at weight loss may be beneficial, as weight loss can decrease the pain associated with osteoarthritis and may decrease further joint damage. Drinking at least six to eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day, increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, decreasing red meat consumption and decreasing your consumption of processed foods may help with weight loss.
Dietary Supplements
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin are used to reduce symptoms and slow disease progression in people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Glucosamine and chondroitin are used in the synthesis of joint structures, and so supplementation is believed to assist with rebuilding cartilage. Make sure your physician is aware that you are taking supplements as they can interfere with other medications and must be monitored.
Benefits
As osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, using diet to slow the progression of disease and improve symptoms can be extremely helpful. If dietary changes, weight loss and pain medications are not effective, joint replacement may be required. Joint replacement requires surgery, a stay in the hospital and painful rehabilitation and so is typically delayed for as long as possible.
Considerations
If pain medication and diet do not alleviate symptoms, other measures are frequently recommended. Regular exercise, particularly exercise that strengthens your muscles around the joint, can be helpful to alleviate pain. Pain-relieving creams that either numb the area or absorb an anti-inflammatory medication into the skin may help as well. You may find that acupuncture or yoga is helpful as a technique to cope with the discomfort of osteoarthritis.
