What is arthritis? Symptoms and causes

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the tissues of one or more joints, usually with pain, swelling, and redness. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Other disease processes and infections which cause arthritis include gout, psoriasis, tuberculosis, rubella, and gonorrhea.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder in which the cartilage between the joints wears away. The body attempts to repair this damage by producing bony outgrowths at the margins of affected joints, but these, in fact, cause pain and stiffness. It is usually age-related and affects the hips, knees, spine, and shoulders in particular. Obesity is an aggravating factor.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive disorder. It most commonly arises between the ages of 30 and 40, affecting women more often than men. Its exact causes are not clear, but it is thought that there may be immunological (perhaps triggered by infection) and genetic factors at work. The synovial membrane lining the joint becomes inflamed, spreading over and eroding the cartilage, causing the characteristic pain and stiffness. Anemia, joint infections and pericarditis are all complications of rheumatoid arthritis.

Over 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1–3 percent of the American population (about 2.1 million people).

the usual age of onset for arthritis is between 30 and 40, but the disease may start at any age and may even strike children (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Still’s disease).

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects 71,000 young Americans each year, 6 times as many girls as boys, and figures are increasing.

Women are affected by rheumatoid arthritis three times as often as men, and about 16 percent of the female population over 65 have the disease.

Osteoarthritis rarely attacks before the age of 40, but most people over the age of 60 suffer from it.

Symptoms

•osteoarthritis: intermittent pain in affected joints, gradually becoming more frequent, progressive movement limitation, audible creaking in affected joints, swelling and redness

•rheumatoid arthritis: morning stiffness, taking up to an hour for the joints to loosen; weakness and inflammation of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles; eventually there may be deformity of joints (typically the fingers/hands), causing pain and debility; eye inflammation; bursitis; general feelings of being unwell indude lethargy, appetite and weight loss, muscle pain

What causes arthritis?

Many different kinds of arthritis have unknown origins. The majority of arthritic conditions are thought to be brought on by immune system flaws that lead to the body attacking its own joint tissues. This might run in the family genetically.

Other types of arthritis may be brought on by immune system issues or metabolic disorders like gout.

Osteoarthritis development may be influenced by environmental variables like:

TREATMENT

Ayurveda

Ginger, coriander, and aloe vera can be used to treat arthritis.

Angelica is a good tonic and is warming.

Barberry, taken as a tea or applied as a compress, can be used to treat arthritis.

Basil can provide relief from the pain of arthritis and rheumatism.

Rub calamus oil into the affected joints to improve circulation and drainage.

Camphor is indicated for the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, and many other musculoskeletal problems.

Chinese Herbalism

The source of the problem is considered to be Wind Damp. Painful joints are caused by Wind Cold. Arthritis with hot, swollen, but not painful, joints is considered to be caused by Wind Heat.

Treatment would include cinnamon twigs to release qi; aconite root, angelica root, and wild ginger to relieve Cold and Damp.

Gentian and cork bark tree can be used for Wind Heat.

Pupleuri root, licorice, and Chinese skullcap are recommended for their powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

Osteoarthritis is thought to be a weakness in the Kidneys, and Blood stagnation. Use cinnamon twigs, tinospora stem, angelica, and ledebouriella root.

Traditional Home and Folk Remedies

Eating nettles or drinking nettle tea is an old remedy for arthritis. The “stings” in stinging nettles contain histamine, which is anti-inflammatory.

Vinegar and honey is another old remedy.

Apple cider baths or ginger root baths can help to reduce symptoms and encourage healing.

Apples are good detoxifiers. Eat them daily to improve symptoms and cure the condition.

Herbalism

Apply a poultice of slippery elm and cayenne to the affected joints.

Herbs that work to heal arthritis include feverfew, meadowsweet, celery seed, and white willow. They can be taken internally, or used externally, as required.

Bladderwrack capsules, tablets, or powder used regularly may prevent the progress of the disease.

For aching joints, try a liniment made with tincture of comfrey and a few drops of black pepper essential oil.

Dandelion root and horsetail tea or tincture is recommended for degenerative arthritis.

For inflamed hand joints, take a decoction or tincture of Devil’s claw.

Siberian ginseng is beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis.

Aromatherapy

Use juniper oil in the bath or in a massage oil blend. It is stimulating and anti-rheumatic.

Massage petitgrain into the limbs for osteoarthritis.

Lemon and cypress oils are detoxifying, and can be used in the bath and in massage to help the body eliminate poisons.

Chamomile, lavender, and rosemary are anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving; use in local massage or compresses.

Black pepper, eucalyptus, marjoram, and benzoin will improve the circulation in the area and reduce stiffness.

Homeopathy

Bryonia is useful for arthritis where stitching pains occur in swollen pale or red joints.

Colchicum, when it is worse in warm weather, with inflamed joints, irritability, and sensitivity to touch.

Rhododendron, when it is worse in stormy weather.

Rhus tox., when the arthritis symptoms include pain and stiffness, and are made worse after rest and in cold damp weather, as well as improving with movement.

Pulsatilla, when pain moves from one joint to another.

Apis, for hot, stinging pain.

Vitamins and Minerals

There is some evidence to show that the antiox

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