Arthritis Relief - Use it Or Lose It!

Arthritis comes with age. As people grow older, bones become brittle and fragile that walking alone can cause mind-numbing pain. The cartilage---a shock absorber in our joints that lessens friction and acts as a cushion for the joints---crack and tear slowly as time passes by. When a lot of these cartilages break off, they float around inside the joint therefore disturbing the soft tissues causing inflammation.

Irritated tissues or damage is an expected response for inflammation; though some may lead to long term complications there are instances wherein most people with arthritis heal completely. Swelling, redness, heat, pain and loss of function are main results of inflammation.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis; it affects the feet, hips, fingers and knees. It's usually not crippling but it is extremely painful and it can be severe. This usually occurs when the cartilage cushioning the joints break down.

Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand affects people even at the early age of 20. It affects most joints in the body, but it commonly stresses the hands. Rheumatic arthritis can damage joints severely it can deform the affected body part. It can attack the whole body causing fatigue, low appetite resulting to extreme weight loss leaving no nutrients for the body, anemia and affects the eyes, heart and lungs. Rheumatic arthritis can be so intense it can lead a person to become bedridden.

Infections contracted accidentally can develop into arthritis. Though there are instances where these infections can cause continuing illness, antibiotics can help clear up certain arthritis.

Though inflammation is the body's automatic response to injury or old age it can be prevented or delayed with exercise and healthy food intake. It is a given fact that doctors in the past prohibited their patients with arthritis to exercise as it might cause more damage to their joints. However, keeping still and resting all the time builds up to more injury and pain. Doing nothing results to weak muscles and fragile joints. Exercise offers many physical benefits as long it's done correctly and is fit for the body.

Arthritis and inflammation is a part of life, we cannot avoid it. Even at an early age, we have felt aches and pains, a healthy lifestyle and proper diet and exercise can help prolong the strains we will encounter. In the long run, healthy and well taken care of bodies can wake up to an invigorating day and go through life without the hassles of pain.