Put simply, arthritis is a name given to a group of conditions affecting the joints, usually resulting in pain and stiffness.
There are over 100 forms of arthritis, with each affecting your joints, including your knees, hips, back and wrists, in different ways. However, the most common type is osteoarthritis, which affects the whole joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles.
Generally it begins with joint pain, stiffness or swelling as inflammation builds up inside the joint. During this stage the pain can often be relieved by doing gentle exercise and making sure there’s plenty of time for the joint to rest – whether it be your knee, wrist or another part of the body that’s aching.
In fact, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, just one hour a week of brisk walking is enough to stave off disability in older adults living with osteoarthritis.
However, there are products available, such as creams and supplements, which could also ease the discomfort and increase your mobility. Kunzea Cream is a natural formula which can penetrate through the skin to the area of pain or inflammation, and potentially relieve muscular aches and swelling caused by osteoarthritis.
As the inflammation gets worse though, it can then cause damage to the joint cartilage, sometimes causing more pain and the loss of mobility. The bones underneath the cartilage become thicker and muscle strength can decrease, meaning the usual range of motion you’re used to can become further limited. When the condition progresses to this stage, many start to reach for the ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicines to ease the discomfort.
Others, however, choose to include hemp seed oil in their diet because of its high content of omega 3, 6 and 9, which are known for fighting inflammation and promoting bone health (plus other health benefits such as reducing weight and waist size and decreasing liver fat).
Turmeric-based products are also popular among arthritis sufferers and there’s research to back up its effectiveness in assisting with the condition. According to a study conducted by the University of Tasmania, patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee reported less pain after taking turmeric supplements than those in the placebo group.
Golden Grind’s Joint Relief Capsules are a top choice among those living with arthritis as they help the body with its anti-inflammatory responses and hence, decreasing swelling around joints.
In the most severe stages of arthritis, the aching can become more constant and depending on the severity of the condition, your doctor may advise a full joint replacement. This is often the case with arthritis in the knees. Before it gets to this stage though there are tools around the home that may help if you’re struggling with mobility.
For example, you can purchase cutlery made specifically for those living with arthritis of the wrist. The cutlery is designed to ensure a stable and comfortable grip to compensate for reduced hand function. There’s also a special brush that can help when you’re washing your hair so you don’t have to strain your arms, hands and shoulders above your head.
Whatever the stage of your arthritis there are products and supplements that could help ease the discomfort and make living with the condition much easier on yourself. Click here to browse arthritis-related products on the Sassy Marketplace.
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IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.