General Information
Arthritis is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, which have varying causes, signs and symptoms and treatments. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is often associated with wear and tear on one or more of your joints, causing the cartilage to degenerate in your spine, hands, hips, or knees. Obesity, aging, injury or genetics can increase your risk. Osteoarhritis is most often seen in people older that age 50. The signs and symptoms include:
- Pain in a joint after use
- Swelling and loss of flexibility in a joint
- Bony lumps at finger joints
- Aching
While the disease doesn’t go away, the pain and other signs and symptoms may come and go.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis. It most often develops in middle age, but can occur in any age group. The cause is unknown, but it’s an autoimmune disease, meaning that your immune system triggers inflammation in the lining of your joints and in other areas. Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Swelling in one or more joints
- Prolonged early-morning stiffness
- Recurring pain or tenderness in any joint
- Inability to move a joint normally
- Obvious redness and warmth in a joint
Rub It In
Tropical painkillers come as gels, creams, lotions, or patches that are applied directly to the skin over your aching joints. Three types that you can purchase without a prescription include:
- Hot or cold rubs. Doctors call these products counter-irritants because they contain ingredients that irritate your skin. Ingredients such as menthol, oil of wintergreen or eucalyptus oil produce a sensation of hot or cold that distracts you from your arthritis pain, giving you temporary pain relief. Examples include Bioreeze, Flexall and Icy Hot.
- Aspirin-like pain rubs. Topical analgesics contain salicylates, the same ingredients that give aspirin its pain-relieving quality. In addition, these products may reduce joint inflammation as they’re absorbed into the skin. Examples include Bengay, Aspercreme, Mobisyl, and Sportscreme.
- Chili pepper seed rubs. The seeds contain a compound called capsaicin, which causes the burning sensation. Creams made with capsaicin are most effective for arthritis pain in joints close to the skin surface, such as your fingers, knees and elbows. Examples include Capzasin and Zostrix.
DIY Home Remedy / Natural Treatment
Rest
If you're experiencing pain or inflammation in a joint, rest it for 12 to 24 hours. Do activities that don't require you to use the joint repetively. Try taking a 10-minute break every hour.Exercise
Exercise is probably the one therapy that will do the most good for managing arthritis. Different types of exercise can achieve different goals. For better flexibility, try gentle stretching. Brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, and dacing are good examples or aerobic exercise that puts low to moderate amounts of stress on your joints. Don't continue any exercise beyond the point that's painful without the advice of your doctor.Heat and Cold
Both heat and cold can relieve joint paint. Heat also relieves stiffness, and cold can relieve muscle spasms. Apply heat for 20 minutes several times a day using a heating pad, hot water bottle or warm bath. Cool joint pain with cold treatments, such as with ice packs. You can use cold treatments several times a day, but don't use them if you have poor circulation or numbness. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis find relief by soaking their joints in warm water for four minutes and then in cool water for a minute. Repeat the cycle for a half-hour, ending with a warm-water soak.Lose Weight
Being overweight or obese increases the stress on weight-bearing joints, such as your knees and hips. Managing even a small amount of weight loss can relieve some pressure and reduce pain.Relaxation
Relaxation techniques such as hypnosis, visualization, deep breathing, muscle relaxation and others may help decrease joint pain.Tai Chi and Yoga
These movement therapies involve gentle stretches combined with deep breathing. Several small studies have found the may help relieve osteoarthritic pain. Avoid any movements that cause pain.Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds found in cartilage. Supplements of both compounds are used to treat osteoarthritis, and individuals with severe symptoms seem to benefit the most. Although long-term effectiveness requires further study, glucosamine and chondroitin may help and appear to be save, so it may not hurt to give them a try.SAMe
SAMe occurs naturally in the human body. A synthetic version of this compound has become a popular dietary supplement in the United States. Several trails indicate that SAMe can relieve pain from osteoarthritis. However, it may take up to 30 days before you notice an improvement in symptoms. The supplement is generally well tolerated in smaller doses. Don't take SAMe if you take antidepressant medications.Devil's Claw
Studies suggest this herb may help decrease osteoarthritic pain. It's used extensively in Europe as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Medical Help
