Fish oil, an omega-3 supplement, provides therapeutic effects to relieve inflammation in your joints. Swelling and redness decrease after taking fish oil. Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis respond to the treatment of fish oil. Cervical arthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis, benefits from a fish oil supplement. Your doctor will prescribe a dose she feels will decrease your cervical neck inflammation.
Cervical Neck Pain
Cervical neck pain related to arthritis is debilitating. Hot and cold packs help to decrease swelling and discomfort in the neck. Sometimes a soft-collar neck brace is used to decrease pressure in the vertebrae of the neck. Other forms of treatment, such as neck traction, help to decrease pressure between the neck vertebrae. Vertebral pain increases with inflammation. Adding a fish oil supplement to treatment of neck pain helps to shrink swelling around the vertebrae, allowing increased freedom to engage in daily activities.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which decrease inflammation. Fish such as salmon contain increased amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and remain beneficial to include in your diet. Another benefit of fish oil is its ability to lower your cholesterol levels in your blood and decrease high blood pressure. Combining these therapeutic effects will help you feel better and increase your overall health.
Side Effects
Fish oil side effects include gastric discomfort, burping, belching and back pain when first taking a fish oil supplement. The etiology for the back pain is unknown in medical literature. If you continue to have side effects of fish oil, talk to your physician.
Adverse Effects
If you take a blood thinner such as warfarin, be cautious before starting a fish oil supplement. Fish oil may interfere with the therapeutic effects of a blood-thinning agent. The adverse effects may become serious. Do not start a fish oil supplement until you seek advice from your doctor.
References
- Arthritis Foundation: Fish May Reduce Inflammation
- Arthritis Foundation: Supplement Guide: Fish Oil
- Surgical Neurology: ω-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil); J.C. Maroon & J.W. Bost; Oct. 2005
- Arthritisvic.org.au: Fish Oils
- Painneck.com: Arthritis in the Neck
- Arthritis Today: Supplement Guide: Fish Oil
- Drugs.com: Fish Oil
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
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