Tips for Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease which is characterized by the inflammation of joints especially of hands and feet which ultimately leads to destruction of joints.
Causes of Rheumatoid arthritis
The cause is not known but considered as autoimmune disease. The immune system attack the soft and connective tissue of the bones, lungs, joints and other vital organs and starts eroding the bones and joints and ultimately causes deformity of joints. This deformity is irreversible and hence there is no proper cure for rheumatoid arthritis.
The other cause may be genetic predisposition.
Symptoms-
• The small joints are affected first. Small joints of hand, feet, wrist, ankle and elbow. The pain and stiffness of joints are seen in the morning which lasts for 1 hour. It becomes difficult to perform any activity.
• The joints become red and warm with mild swelling in the joints. The joints look deformed.
• Along with treatment the patient must take proper rest and can perform mild exercise.
Here are 8 tips for the patients to overcome and reduce the effect of RA –
• Always consult your doctor or physician for the treatment. Never stop the medications prescribed by your doctor.
• Food to avoid – It is believed that certain food causes increase in the pain and inflammation. Hence there are certain food if avoided by the RA patients will help them to relive from their pain. They are – tomatoes, bringjal (eggplant), pickle, peppers, tobacco, alcohol, excess of red meat or chicken.
• Food to use in your diet – It is believed that certain use of food will relive the patients. They are food containing omega3 fatty acids which is considered as the healthy fats.
Omega-3 fatty acid is found in walnuts, fishes like salmon, flaxseed, canola oil, soyabeans.
Ginger - Ginger in the form of ginger tea helps to reduce the inflammatory process.
Turmeric- Turmeric has the anti-inflammatory effect and has been used for a long time in traditional medicines. Turmeric is one of the natural way to reduce the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis.
• Exercise – Some people believe that exercise make rheumatic pain worse but that is not the fact. Certain type of exercise is very useful for RA. The exercise is done to maintain the muscle strength and reduce the stiffness of muscles and joints.
Following are the exercises – Stretching exercise – This is the most easiest type of exercise. Stretching of different joints and muscles can be done every day for 10 mins. Stretching helps to reduce the stiffness of body parts and improve the flexibility.
Other exercises like aerobics and strength exercises can be done if possible. It is not possible for some people due to overweight, lack of strength, etc. These exercises are necessary to carry out with the help of trainer.
Walking, swimming, cycling are some of the exercises which can be done any time.
DO not go for jogging because it can worsen the problem. Jogging is not recommended for rheumatoid arthritis. Do not go for vigorous exercises like heavy weight lifting unless your rheumatologist advises you.
• Stress – Stress is one of the cause for the rheumatoid arthritis. Try reducing your stress level and keep your mind healthy. Involve yourself in some activity that will make you happy and make you forget your tensions.
• Yoga – Yoga helps to keep your muscles flexible and reduce your anxiety.
• Homeopathy – As you know there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis in allopathic medicine, the alternative medicines are very useful to reduce the joint pain and stiffness. There are number of homeopathic medicines which has magical effect on joint problems. But never self-medicate or stop the medication without the doctors consultation.
• Accupressue or acupuncture – Although acupuncture is not the sole cure for RA but it is seen that acupuncture helps to relieve the rheumatic arthritis. The needles are used on the different points to relieve the pain and other deformity.