What Is Arthritis pain?

Arthritis pain occurs due to swelling, inflammation, or tenderness of joints. Arthritis pain typically worsens with age and poor diet. Arthritis pain is caused by the breakdown of cartilage tissues or an attack of the immune system on joints. The most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and less motile ability. Arthritis pain can affect people of all ages, even children and teenagers. The most common risk factors for arthritis pain are family history, age, sex, previous joint history, and obesity. Arthritis pain mainly occurs in the feet, hands, hips, knees, and lower back. Doctors can prescribe medication to relieve arthritis pain, but they mostly recommend natural approaches, too. Treatment for arthritis aims to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve function and quality of life while protecting against more damage.

What causes arthritis?

Cartilage is the flexible connective tissue in the joints. It serves to absorb all the pressure which we put on while walking or running. The reduction of this connective tissue can cause some forms of arthritis. In addition, lifestyle, diet, and genetics also play a role in developing arthritis. Different types of arthritis have other causes, as given below:

• Osteoarthritis

It is the most common form of arthritis which causes the cartilage on the ends of our bones to wear away. As a result, bones rub against each other. The infection or joint injury is responsible for the natural breakdown of cartilage tissues. The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases if we have a family history of arthritis pain. This kind of arthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease.

• Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when our immune system attacks the connective tissues of the body. The immune system attack badly affects the soft tissues in our joints, known as synovial tissues, resulting in a deficiency of liquid released by synovial tissue and lubricating the joints. Prolonged rheumatoid arthritis can eventually lead to damage to the bone and cartilage inside the joint. This immune system attack is caused mainly by our genetic makeup disorders.

• Gout

Gout is the most painful arthritis that occurs when our body can’t get rid of uric acid. The higher uric acid level in our body forms needle-like crystals in the joints that caused inflammation, swelling, and severe pain. It affects the toe, knee, and wrist joints of the body. The leading causes of the high level of uric acid in our body are being overweight or eating and drinking too much certain food and alcoholic drinks.

Relief from arthritis pain

There are two ways to relieve arthritis pain: medication and natural approaches. Both are effective for certain kinds of arthritis.

• Medication

Several different types of medication treat arthritis pain, but the following are the most effective.

• Analgesics

Analgesics are used in pain management and inflammation reduction (such as Prednisone), but it contains salicylates which can thin the blood.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are helpful in pain control but don’t help in decreasing inflammation.

• Menthol creams

Menthol cream blocks the transmission of pain signals from our joints to the brain, so we cannot feel the pain, but it can cause dizziness.

• Immunosuppressant

Immunosuppressant is helpful in the inflammation reduction of the joints to relieve arthritis pain.

• Natural ways to relieve arthritis pain

Doctors often recommend natural ways to relieve arthritis pain. The following ways are proven very effective in pain management and inflammation reduction to relieve arthritis pain.

• Manage your weight
• Get enough exercise
• Use hot and cold therapy
• Try acupuncture
• Follow a healthy diet
• Add turmeric to the meal
• Get a massage
• Consider herbal supplements
• Try yoga
• Mindfulness meditation
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
• High intake of vitamin D

Arthritis pain occurs due to arthritis injury, inflammation, synovial damage, and cartilage wear away from joints. There is no specific cause for arthritis. Different types of arthritis have other underlying causes. However, injury, abnormal metabolism, poor lifestyle, detected genetic makeup, infection, and immune system dysfunction are the major risk factors for developing arthritis and arthritis pain & inflammation. Medication and natural approaches are the two different ways to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve quality of life.