Arthritis can affect any individual, at any age, causing minor or severe discomfort. The risks of arthritis increase with age and are more prevalent among women than men, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Coping with symptoms may require daily or occasional remedies to head off pain and reduce inflammation.
Significance
A multitude of remedies for arthritis pain exist, all of which may have significant impact on your daily life. The most beneficial treatments vary, based on the type of arthritis you have, the degree of pain and inflammation, and your lifestyle. Sufferers who are active and otherwise healthy often opt to use occasional pain medications. Those with certain health risks may consider natural therapies, such as diet modifications, rest and low-impact exercise.
Types
Medline Plus, a website of the National Institute's of Health, lists more than 100 types of arthritis, all of which can result in pain, inflammation, stiffness and limited movement in one or more joints. If arthritis is caused by an injury, infection or autoimmune disease, the inflammation often goes away with time or treatment. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a chronic form of arthritis that generally affects the hips, knees or fingers. Symptoms of this form of arthritis are treated with a variety of remedies including oral medications, ointments, exercise and rest.
Prevention/Solution
Proper rest is essential for good health. Medline Plus says that getting approximately 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night might help prevent exacerbation of arthritis. Resting the affected joints periodically during the day may also remedy pain and reduce inflammation. Light aerobic activity and strength-training routines can also help increase flexibility and strengthen the muscles, lessening the effects of arthritis.
Warning
Pain medications are a common remedy for arthritis, helping individuals cope with adverse effects and attend to their daily tasks. Over-the-counter drugs such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) work in two ways: by reducing inflammation and easing pain. Traditionally, these drugs have been the first choice for arthritis relief, according to the Mayo Clinic. NSAIDs, however, increase the risks of stomach pain, heart problems, intestinal bleeding and kidney failure. Due to these risks, the American Geriatrics Society advises doctors to abstain from treating the elderly with the drugs. Safer options for older individuals include opiates, which are powerful prescription pain medications.
Considerations
In some cases, arthritis treatments may focus on eliminating the underlying cause of the condition, according to Medline Plus. Overweight individuals may opt to ease their arthritis through weight reduction, which can alleviate stress on the joints and reduce the pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, however, are the exceptions to this rule, as the cause of these forms of arthritis are not curable.
