Treatments for arthritis

Answer 1

My grandma always talked about how she had Arthritis and i remember as a little girl that she told me copper bracelets sometimes help. I'm not sure if this is true or if its just an old folk remedy but it did stop her from complaining so you might want to check into it.

There is absolutely no evidence that the copper bracelet is anymore then a myth. Good news travels fast and the copper bracelet belief has been around for a long time. If it did in fact work it would definitely be in wide use by now. but alas the only treatments that seem to work are those forced upon us by the chemical companies.

Answer 2

The common definition for the illness arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. There are a number of types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The treatments for arthritis are basically the same for each type. What treatment you receive depends on how old you are, what physical condition you are in, where the arthritis is located and how severe the arthritis is.

There are a few ways to try to prevent arthritis as you age. It’s important to keep your weight at the recommended level. Extra weight puts stress on the joints which may lead to arthritis. Exercise to keep your joints supple and in good condition will also help protect you against arthritis. Taking care to not overstress your joints is another good idea. Unfortunately, some people get arthritis due to heredity and some from no specific reason at all.

The top treatment for arthritis is medication. A number of different types of medications are helpful. Medicines such as acetaminophen to relieve pain and NSAIDs to help with the inflammation are often prescribed. Steroids can also be given to relieve pain. There are a number of topical creams that ease the pain of arthritis. If over-the-counter treatments aren’t affective, doctors may prescribe narcotics to help patients deal with the pain.

Rest and hot or cold compresses help relieve some of the swelling and pain of arthritis. Use of a cane or joint splint can also help. Learning how much activity your joints can handle is an important part of managing your arthritis.

Exercise and physical therapy are good treatments for arthritis. Building up the muscles surrounding the joints will provide support and relieve arthritis. Also, stretching and gently working the joints will help improve mobility. A special exercise regimen will be established to insure you don’t further damage the joints.

If none of the above treatments provide relief, surgery may be recommended. Knee or hip replacement surgery can provide a severe arthritis patient with a new lease on life.