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Antioxidants: What are they? and how do they work?

We have heard many times the expression "is an antioxidant " with healthy foods but do we know what is and why should be included in our diet?

We are in the midst of "media war" between the food industries to win the trust of consumers, so from Vitonica we will review some basic features about antioxidants and other posts about more "functional supplements" such as omega 3.



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•     An antioxidant is a molecule capable of retarding or preventing the oxidation of other molecules . Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals that start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants end these reactions by removing free radical intermediates and inhibit other oxidation reactions by oxidizing themselves.
•     Antioxidants block the damaging effect of free radicals . Respiration in the presence of oxygen is essential in the cellular life of our organism, but as a consequence of it these free radicals are produced, which cause negative health effects throughout life through their ability to alter DNA (genes), proteins and lipids or fats.
•     There are situations that increase the production of free radicals such as intense physical exercise, environmental pollution, smoking, infections, stress, diets rich in fat and overexposure to the sun.
•     Antioxidants are found in foods such as vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, legumes, nuts and tea .

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Hip arthrosis: what it is, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

What is it

The osteoarthritis of the hip joint consists in the deterioration of the cartilage of this joint. It is relatively frequent, although not as much as osteoarthritis of knees or hands. In general, it is typical of older people, although it can appear before the age of 50, being exceptional in young people.



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symptom

The main symptom is pain, although rigidity and impairment of functionality (mobility) also appear. In hip osteoarthritis pain is localized in the groin area. Occasionally, the pain goes down the front of the thigh and can also hurt the knee, which may make the patient think that the problem is in the knee. Therefore, it is very important to know that hip pain is not located in the area of ​​the body popularly known as "the hips."

Origin

It is not known. The cause of osteoarthritis is thought to be the consequence of a sum of genetic and environmental factors.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on the symptoms that the patient has along with the exploration of the hip, which presents a loss of mobility. To confirm the diagnosis, an X-ray can be done that shows the typical findings that arthritis produces in the joint, and allows to establish a prognosis according to the hip is more or less worn.

Treatment

Currently there is no treatment that can cure osteoarthritis, but it can relieve symptoms, slow their evolution and improve quality of life. For this, several alternatives are available: physical measurements, drugs and surgery.

The rheumatologist is the most experienced doctor to establish the diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis and differentiate it from other joint diseases, as well as to establish the optimal treatment according to the degree of the disease. The rheumatologist will refer you to other specialists when necessary and will advise you at the time about the convenience of the surgery.

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Osteoarthritis and heels: do they have any relation?

Given that the heels cause a greater load and, therefore, a greater pressure on the joints of the middle and forefoot, "it can produce greater wear on these joints, favoring the onset of osteoarthritis ", explains Alfredo Martínez, president of the College Official Podiatrists of the Valencian Community (ICOPCV). "Specifically," he continues, "it affects the metatarsophalangeal joints and the toes."



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Whenever heels are used, this overload occurs in this area, therefore, the impact on the joints will depend on the height of the heel and the time of use . Martínez indicates that from this it can be deduced that, at a shorter time of use, the risk of osteoarthritis is lower.
Heel height

As for the height of the heel, the expert points out that from two or three centimeters the weight of the body moves forward . "The higher the heel, the greater the incidence of that weight on the forefoot and, thus, the higher the heel, the more likely that the disease will occur."

In addition, an increase of this risk could be added when the footwear does not have any fastening in the back part of the foot, that is to say, in the heel. This would be the case of sandals.

Can you prevent the problem?

All these problems can not be prevented more than using a flat shoe. Martinez believes that "when you use a heel you can not walk in any other way than in the position that the footwear prints on the foot, so there is no way to prevent osteoarthritis when wearing that footwear ".

To minimize this, the podiatrist suggests wearing spare shoes and changing them whenever possible to minimize the time of use of the heel and perform exercises with the feet, such as shrugging and stretching the fingers.

Other problems of heels

Apart from the risk of osteoarthritis, usually walking with this type of shoes can lead to other problems. "They give important problems of metatarsal overloads and dislocations or upheavals of the metatarsal or phalangeal joints," says Josep Manel Ogalla Rodriguez, president of the Official College of Podiatrists of Catalonia and full professor at the University of Barcelona .

In addition, they provoke hardness in the sole of the foot and fingers in claw, with the consequent calluses in the fingers.

According to Ogalla, the areas most affected by the use of heels are:

•     The bones of the foot
•     The joints of the foot.
•     Ankle.
•     The knees.
•     The position of the spine.
•     All the musculature of these regions.

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Arthrosis: tips to improve the quality of life

Arthrosis is the most frequent joint disease in Spain. In fact, between 2 and 4 million people suffer from it and according to experts more than 70 percent of people over 50 have signs of osteoarthritis on radiographs, but only 25 percent will have symptoms .



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"The main symptoms of arthrosis are pain, joint stiffness, deformity and the decrease or loss of mobility," explains Montserrat Romera-Baurés, coordinator of the Arthrosis Working Group of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (Artroser ), who indicates that all this affects the quality of life of the people who suffer from it. "In a survey conducted in Barcelona, ​​20 percent of those interviewed reported disability or dependence to perform activities of daily living. In the EPISER study, 67 percent of respondents with knee osteoarthritis reported that their health status was bad or regular, "he adds.

So, do these figures show that nothing can be done to improve the quality of life of those affected by an illness that affects more women than men and in which obesity is a determining risk factor? On the contrary, Romera-Baurés points out that there is a whole series of non-pharmacological measures that can help improve pain , reduce functional disability and try to slow the progression of the disease .

Know the disease, the most important

Information is power. And this also moves to osteoarthritis. Knowing the disease, the different treatments and the basic measures that can be implemented in your day to day will make a difference.

The expert recommends, for example, incorporate aerobic exercise on a day-to-day basis. "Exercise maintains neuromuscular coordination, prevents muscle atrophy and retains the strength of tendons and ligaments."

Another important aspect that influences are the postural habits: we must avoid sunken sofas and chairs, use chairs with flat backrest and adequate beds . "It is not advisable to carry pesos and it is better to use cars to go shopping", he adds.

Regarding the advice to cope with the disease, the coordinator of Artroser highlights:

•     Control weight and / or lose weight in those cases where there is overweight .
•     It is necessary to exercise to strengthen the muscles and to preserve mobility.
•     Physical therapies in the form of heat and cold can be beneficial. "In general, heat is better, which relieves pain and relaxes the muscles. The cold will be used only in cases of inflammation of a joint, "he explains.
•     The use of canes and / or crutches also serve to relieve pain and provide stability and safety, avoiding possible falls.
•     The footwear must be suitable, with little heel (4-5 cm) and that holds the foot well. The orthopedic insoles also help to cushion the impact.
•     In some cases it is necessary to unload the joint using discharge splints.

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Advice from the pharmacy to relieve pain in osteoarthritis

Many patients with osteoarthritis are used to living with pain, they are resigned", says Eloi Merencio Naudín, coordinator of the Pain Group of the Spanish Society of Family and Community Pharmacy (Sefac). "We have to explain to them that surely we can not take away the pain, but we can reduce it ".

And in this role, in helping the patient to improve their quality of life, the pharmacist plays a crucial role since many of the doubts about their treatment and how they can adapt to day to day can be resolved in the pharmacy that they have closer to home.



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Merencio states that their work is important because they can explain what medications are prescribed by the specialist, they can give them detailed information that will help the patient follow it and therefore improve before, as well as explain possible adverse reactions to medications or what other drugs or foods your treatment can interact with.

What can I do to improve?

This is one of the most frequent questions patients ask their pharmacist. The experts, in addition to helping them in aspects that include how to take the medication, how long they should follow it or whether or not they can combine it with other medications can give them other non-pharmacological recommendations that will alleviate their day to day.

These are:
Most convenient type of physical exercise

The spokesman stresses that it is convenient to perform exercises with little impact: soft bicycle without standing up, swimming, walking in the water or performing isometric exercises where the joint does not suffer impact, among others.

Adequate diet and diet habits

This point is very important. "If you are overweight you should follow a diet to lose weight since excess weight is always an aggravating factor of osteoarthritis, " he adds.
Correct the posture and use templates to reduce the impact with the ground

At this point, Merencio highlights two aspects:

•     Standing: the top of the head should be aligned with the roof, the chest upright, the scapulas aligned, the knees straight, and the arches of the feet well supported to the ground and with good support.
•     Sitting: the back straight, the buttocks well supported to the chair, the knees at a right angle and at the same height as the hip. The feet on the floor and the table at the height of the elbows. Try to avoid the use of chairs that are too small and that do not rotate.

Finally, the specialist emphasizes that the patient can carry out some changes that may favor the disappearance of pain, such as having a muscle mass developed to minimize the weight that the joints carry.

"They can also apply cold after a physical activity to reduce inflammation, use optimal and comfortable shoes, take a good posture and especially pay attention to health professionals .

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Arthrosis treatments, symptoms and information in CuidatePlus

What is it

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that affects the joints. Normally, it is located in the hands, knees, hips or spine. Arthrosis causes pain, inflammation and prevents normal movements such as closing one's hand, climbing stairs or walking.

The joints are the components of the skeleton that allow the connection between two bones (such as the elbow, knee, hip, etc.) and, therefore, movement. The cartilage is the tissue responsible for covering the ends of these bones and is essential for the proper functioning of the joint since it acts as a shock absorber.



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Arthrosis causes the deterioration of the articular cartilage, causing the bones to wear out and the pain to appear. As the cartilage is disappearing, the bone reacts and grows on the sides (osteophytes) producing deformation of the joint.
Incidence

Arthrosis is the most frequent articular disease in Spain , according to data from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology , which estimates that more than 7 million Spaniards over 20 years of age have osteoarthritis of the knee, hand or spine. In addition, this disease is more frequent in women , 52 percent, compared to 29 percent in men.

"From the radiological point of view, the population segment between 50 and 64 years old presents 70 percent of osteoarthritis in the hands, 40 percent in the feet, 10 percent in the knees and 3 percent in the hips ", they point out.

In addition, according to the World Health Organization , about 28 percent of the world population over 60 years of age has osteoarthritis and 80 percent of it has limitations in their movements . The increase in life expectancy and the aging of the population will make osteoarthritis the fourth cause of disability in the year 2020.
Causes

To date, the causes of osteoarthritis are not known exactly , but there are some risk factors associated with its appearance:

•     Age : increases exponentially after 50 years.
•     Sex : affects mostly women over 50-55 years old.
•     Genetics : it can also be a hereditary disease. In particular, the genetic inheritance in the development of osteoarthritis can reach up to 65 percent.
•     Work activity : the repetition of joint movements can lead, in the long term, to joint overload. Therefore, certain work activities (hairdressers, masons, etc.), can cause the appearance of arthrosis.
•     High physical activity : elite athletes have a higher risk of developing the disease.
•     Menopause : the decrease in estrogen levels that occurs with the arrival of menopause is one of the risk factors for its development.
•     Obesity : it does not seem to participate in the development of osteoarthritis, but it can aggravate it in certain joints such as the knees.
•     Injuries : fractures and injuries can be a triggering factor.

symptom

The manifestations of osteoarthritis are very varied, progressive and appear dilated over time.

The most frequent symptoms are joint pain , limitation of movements , crunches and, in some cases, joint effusion . In addition, some people may present joint stiffness and deformity .

The pain that most worries people with osteoarthritis is pain. In a first stage, it is triggered when it moves or an effort is made with the joint. This pain usually ceases with rest. Subsequently, the worsening of osteoarthritis will cause pain to appear both with movement and with rest.

One of the good points of arthritic pain is that it is not always constant, so that patients can be for long periods of time without suffering pain, which does not mean that osteoarthritis does not follow its evolution.

Prevention

The main measure that risk groups have to take into account to prevent the development of the disease is to eat a healthy and balanced diet , such as the Mediterranean diet , exercise moderately , activities that are appropriate to age and condition. current physical person and avoid obesity .

It is also convenient to limit the intense physical effort, such as carrying heavy objects or work activities that involve overexertion.

On the other hand, experts recommend that people be careful when playing contact sports, such as football or rugby, as they are not recommended for patients with osteoarthritis. The reason is that these sports are one of the factors that can trigger the disease. In fact, many players suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee due to injuries suffered in the meniscus .

In case of having the disease they should avoid the movements that produce pain, without getting to immobilize the area.

Types

Currently osteoarthritis manifests itself mainly in four areas:

Knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common type of osteoarthritis. In fact, in Spain, 10 percent of Spaniards suffer from it. It is possible to distinguish between two types of osteoarthritis of the knee:

•     Primary knee osteoarthritis : it is closely related to aging and genetics, and is linked to the wear and tear of the different parts of the knee (bones, the synovial membrane and cartilage).
•     Secondary knee arthrosis : it usually occurs due to a previous injury, such as a fracture or a ligament injury. It usually affects athletes and obese people, since the overexertion they demand from their knees is high.

In this case the disease affects the internal and / or frontal parts of the knee causing pain when an effort is made. As a consequence of this pain and the degenerative evolution of the disease, the patient may have lameness if the disease progresses to an advanced stage. In this type of osteoarthritis the movement of the joint usually causes clicks.

Arthrosis of hands

Arthrosis of the hands is the second most common type of osteoarthritis. In Spain, 6 percent of citizens suffer. It is usually closely linked to the female sex and the genetic inheritance of the patient . Arthrosis of the hands originates in a joint and, later, can extend to the rest of the hand.

It is very visible, as it tends to deform the fingers and affects the daily life of patients in everyday tasks such as writing. During the process, the pain accompanies the evolution of the disease being stronger at the beginning and mitigating as the nodules appear. The discomfort usually decreases when the deformation is complete. The functionality of the hand may be affected and the joint may be slightly bent or deflected.

Hip arthrosis

Osteoarthritis of the hip is one that affects the upper part of the leg. This type of osteoarthritis is quite common, although not as much as osteoarthritis of the knee or hand. In general, it is typical of older people, but it can appear before the age of 50, being exceptional in young people.

The main symptom is pain, which is located in the groin area and in the inner thigh area . However, sometimes the pain can be reflected in the knee.

At the beginning of the illness, the pain only appears when walking and going up or down stairs. Pain is also felt after a period of rest, until the joint becomes warm, and then reappears after a long walk or prolonged exercise, because the joint is overloaded. Progressively, difficult actions such as crossing or flexing the legs, or walking, become difficult. In advanced stages, pain may appear during the night, due to the resting position and, with the passage of time, it is normal for lameness to appear when walking.

Column osteoarthritis

The spine is made up of many joints. This causes osteoarthritis to develop in this area, often in the lumbar and cervical area .

This type of osteoarthritis can be asymptomatic, so it is often not diagnosed and is located by chance when performing an X-ray for another reason.

The pain can appear when performing mechanical activities, such as movements and overloads in the affected area. In addition, changes in time and pressure often aggravate the pain.

Diagnosis

As explained by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), the diagnosis of the pathology is made through a clinical interview.

There are some tests that help the specialist complete the study. Through an x-ray the doctor can distinguish the osteophytes, the clamping of the cartilage, the subchondral geodes and the asymmetric decrease of the joint space, clear symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Other tests that can be used in exceptional cases are CT and magnetic resonance when the doctor has doubts about the origin of the process or is studying other problems in a complementary way, such as a disc extrusion in a spondyloarthrosis or meniscus rupture in a gonarthrosis.

Finally, high resolution ultrasound has been incorporated as a very effective diagnostic tool because it reveals the soft parts that surround the joint, as well as if there is inflammation or injury in any of them and distinguish if the bone profile is altering.

Treatments

The main objective of treatment in osteoarthritis is to improve pain and functional disability without causing side effects.

To achieve this, the SER insists that the first step that specialists must take is to teach patients to avoid everything that contributes to injuring joints such as overweight, repetitive movements, inappropriate attitudes at work, footwear, kitchen utensils, furniture, etc.

Secondly, it is advised that each patient has a personalized and adapted table of exercises that must be done under the supervision of the physiotherapist to improve the course of the disease.

Finally, from the SER point out that the rheumatologist will decide the appropriate pharmacological treatment for each case:

Anti-inflammatories and / or analgesics

In the most acute phase, the pain increases a lot because of the inflammation of the affected area. At this point, it may be necessary to prescribe medical anti - inflammatories and / or analgesics to reduce the swelling of the area and thus relieve pain.

Chondroprotective drugs

They are the only specific drugs to treat osteoarthritis in the long term because they act directly on the affected joint. Not only do they relieve pain and improve mobility, but they are demonstrating that they have the capacity to attack the root disease, slowing down the deterioration of the joint. Among them are drugs such as chondroitin sulfate , glucosamine sulfate and hyaluronic acid .

In 2015, The Cochrane Library published a review on chondroitin sulfate that confirms the efficacy and safety of this drug in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The conclusions show that the patients treated with chondroitin sulfate presented an improvement of the pain and of the functional capacity statistically significant and clinically relevant against placebo, demonstrating in addition advantages of security.

Surgery

If the patient is in a final stage of the disease, specialists recommend prosthetic surgery as a therapeutic option.

Forecast

Although this disease is not very serious, it does significantly decrease the quality of life of patients. In fact, its prognosis differs greatly depending on the joint that is affected and the evolution of the pathology.

In addition, factors such as early diagnosis and joint prevention measures can contribute to slowing the development of osteoarthritis .

In general terms, the SER explains that the evolution of the pathology is slow and progressive.

How does it affect the patient's life?

Pain and lack of mobility are the main factors that affect and diminish the quality of life of patients.

Given that the disease affects mainly patients over 60 years of age, the functional limitation may increase the sedentary lifestyle in these population groups. This can promote obesity, and with it the risk of increased cholesterol levels , the presence of diabetes , hypertension , or other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases .

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Erosive osteoarthritis, that great unknown

Erosive osteoarthritis - also known as OA - is one of the types of arthritis with a higher incidence in our 21st century society , but it is also a great unknown. Today, in the blog of people who live in pain we will try to answer the many questions that arise when talking about this disease, a condition that, if not treated properly can seriously affect our quality of life .



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The most common arthritis

Maybe you know there are many types of arthritis . The most well-known is usually rheumatoid arthritis , but we must not forget other inflammatory and very painful diseases such as, for example, tendonitis , bursitis, the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome or, of course, the protagonist condition of today's article: erosive osteoarthritis.

In general we could say that erosive osteoarthritis is a rheumatic and very painful disease that is produced by the progressive wear of the cartilages of our bones . This type of arthritis is more common among older people for one simple reason: over the years. Over time, that tissue called cartilage is losing density and fails to fully or partially fulfill its main function: to get the joints of our arms, elbows, ankles and wrists moving smoothly.
Erosive osteoarthritis: main risk factors

•     Age: as we told you in the previous paragraph, the first risk factor involved in this condition is age. People over 50 are more susceptible to this type of arthritis .
•     Sex: up to approximately 45-50 years, it could be said that osteoarthritis does not understand the sexes, affects similarly to men and women. But from that age range, the different medical studies warn a higher incidence among women of this type of arthritis in the hands, hips and knees . In addition - and always speaking in general terms - women usually notice the first symptoms a few years before men.
•     The lifestyle: in recent years there have been numerous investigations that point to an increase in the number of osteoarthritis patients in Western countries , in supposedly advanced societies where sedentary life prevails and lack of adequate and controlled physical exercise .
•     Obesity : As in the previous point, the latest medical advances directly relate osteoarthritis to obesity . There are several theories that could explain this relationship, for example:
•         Excessive ingestion of certain foods can directly damage the internal structure of both the cartilage and the bones.
•         The overweight exerts a continuous and excessive pressure on our joints propitiating, thus, the progressive wear and loss of cartilage functions.

Main symptoms of osteoarthritis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary depending on the joint that is affected : hands, knees, hips ... Anyway, and at a general level, we could highlight two symptoms common to any type of arthritis : loss of mobility and pain.

•     The loss of mobility. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis see their most basic physical movements limited: walking, going down or climbing stairs, bending down to tie their shoes, leaving or entering the bathtub, sewing, writing, painting, etc.
•     The pain It is difficult to describe the pain, but we can see how it behaves in this type of arthritis: it increases when the affected joint moves, it diminishes when we rest, it appears or it is revived when we make certain types of movements, it is usually more intense at the last minute of the day or when we overexert, etc. Pain is, thus, one of the first and main symptoms that can warn us about osteoarthritis or the presence of other types of arthritis .

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Osteoarthritis

Some of the ailments that affect us, even being very common, are big unknown. Osteoarthritis is one of them and that's why today we will talk about it in the blog of people who live with pain.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is one of the types of arthritis with a higher incidence. It is a condition that appears very often from the fifties, as the joints and bones age.



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The most common type of arthritis

Maybe you know there are many types of arthritis . The best known is usually rheumatoid arthritis , but we must not forget other inflammatory and very painful diseases such as, for example, tendonitis , bursitis, so-called carpal tunnel syndrome or  osteoarthritis.

In general we could say that osteoarthritis is a rheumatic disease and very painful. It is produced by the progressive wear of the cartilages of our bones. This type of arthritis is more common among older people . Over time, that tissue called cartilage is losing density and fails to fully or partially fulfill its main function: to get the joints of our arms, elbows, ankles and wrists moving smoothly.

Osteoarthritis: main risk factors

•     Age. People over 50 are more susceptible to this type of arthritis .
•     The sex After 50 years, different medical studies warn of a higher incidence among women of this type of arthritis in the hands, hips and knees . Generally women usually notice the first symptoms a few years before men.
•     The lifestyle. Increases the number of osteoarthritis patients in Western countries. This is in societies where sedentary life prevails and lack of adequate and controlled physical exercise .
•     The obesity. The latest medical advances directly relate osteoarthritis to obesity . There are several theories that could explain this relationship, for example:
•         Excessive ingestion of certain foods can directly damage the internal structure of both the cartilage and the bones.
•         Overweight exerts a continuous and excessive pressure on our joints. It thus promotes the progressive wear and loss of cartilage functions.

Main symptoms of osteoarthritis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary depending on the joint that is affected : hands, knees, hip ... Two symptoms common to any type of arthritis could be highlighted: loss of mobility and pain.

•     The loss of mobility. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis see their most basic physical movements limited: walking, going down stairs, sewing, writing, painting, etc.
•     The pain It increases when the affected joint moves, it diminishes when we rest and it appears when we make certain types of movements. It also tends to be more intense at the last minute of the day or when we make an effort, etc. Pain is one of the first and main symptoms that can warn us about the  Osteoarthritis  .

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Osteoarthritis of the thumb: the most effective remedies

Osteoarthritis is a very common ailment and, although it can affect people of all ages, it appears very often starting in the fifties, as the joints and bones age.

It starts being a slight discomfort that is felt in the knuckles or in the phalanges of the fingers. Over time, it is becoming more constant and it is likely that one finger will extend to the rest of the hand. In this article, I'm going to give you some remedies for osteoarthritis of the thumb and hands , both in its early stages and when you're already getting used to living with inflammation.



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Osteoarthritis of the thumb is inflammation of the joints of the bones . It is degenerative so it is important to diagnose it as soon as possible to start treating it with remedies and palliative exercises.

Although in this blog article about people living with pain I'm going to focus on giving you remedies for hand arthritis, there are other types of arthritis that affect joints such as the knee and shoulders , among others.

Osteoarthritis of the thumb and other types

The term arthritis is so generic that with it I can refer to up to 100 different types of ailments related to inflammation of the joints. However, in everyday life, when we talk about arthritis, we are generally referring to two fundamental types: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis .

Another fairly common type of arthritis is known as gout , a disease known for centuries that did not discriminate between kings and servants. The best known case may be that of Felipe II, who retired to the Monastery of El Escorial to rest afflicted with this ailment.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar in all affected areas: inflammation and pain in the joint, possible deformation (in the case of fingers is where you notice most), morning stiffness, nodules or excessively dry skin.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis mainly affects the cartilage and, unlike other types of arthritis, it does not affect the internal organs, only the joints. Generally, it manifests as pain in the joints and limitation of movement. It is more common after the age of 60 although you can suffer at any age as a result of some joint injury.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a presumably autoimmune inflammatory disease whose cause or causes are still unknown although it is considered that it can have a large genetic load.

Women are three times more likely than men to develop this disease and, unlike in the case of osteoarthritis, which usually occurs in the elderly , rheumatoid arthritis affects mostly the hairpin between the ages of 20 and 40. 40 years old
Pain and swelling of the fingers

If it hurts to shrink your fingers or when temperatures are low or you are in contact with cold water, it is likely that you are living the first stages of arthritis of the hands. You may also notice a certain deformity in the thumb, in the swan neck of the fingers (joint closest to the nails) or in the metacarpophalangeal joint (the continuation of the knuckles).

Arthritis of the hands is painful but it is one of the types of arthritis that best respond to both exercises and simple natural remedies.

Remedies for arthritis of hands

In general, foods, oils and spices with anti-inflammatory properties are recommended to try to alleviate the inflammation and pain of joints affected by arthritis. Sometimes, topical use is made of them (direct application on the fingers and hands); in others, intake is recommended.

Castor oil and olive oil

A couple of times a day, you will be grateful to give you some scrubs or soft massages with castor oil . This oil has an active ingredient called ricinoleic acid that has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Olive oil can also be used to massage the affected area and, of course, is a great ally against arthritis in your daily diet.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a widely used spice in oriental cuisine. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. There are many recipes with turmeric (curry takes this spice, for example).

It is advisable to consume turmeric along with other foods since, by itself (in capsules, for example) the body absorbs it badly. The ideal is to mix it with extra virgin olive oil or linen and a pinch of black pepper . It also increases its effectiveness if taken together with soy, citrus juice or green tea.

Honey and cinnamon

A teaspoon of both, mixed, give your body defenses to fight inflammation because they have properties similar to turmeric: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidants.

Sales of Epsom

Put hot water in a large bowl, add two cups of Epsom salts , let stand a little and put your hands for about 20 minutes in the liquid. You can repeat this treatment a couple of times a week. These salts will get the affected joints of your fingers to relax, providing relief from joint swelling and stiffness.

To prevent arthritis , a diet rich in blue fish, citrus fruits and olive oil is recommended.
Exercises to relieve arthritis of hands

Three very simple exercises will help you improve the mobility of your fingers and keep arthritis at bay.

Move the thumb by drawing a large circle . First to the side, slowly, about eight times; then, in the opposite direction.

Again with the thumb, you have to touch each one of the yolks of the rest of fingers of the hand . You will see what forms an "o". Do not do it quickly because you will only make the inflamed joint hurt more. When you finish the round of fingers, open your hand, stretch your fingers and recreate "oes". Repeat the exercise eight times.

Open and close the hand flexing , little by little, each of the joints . The fingers shrink as if you wanted to grab something until the fist is closed. Slowly open your fist and stretch your fingers. Again, 8 or 10 times with each hand (if both are affected).

You will tell me how these natural remedies and simple exercises have gone. If you know someone else, do not hesitate to share it through the comments, you can help other people who, like you, want to alleviate the pain!

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Osteoarthritis of the knee: definition, causes, symptoms and treatment

Knowing some of the most common diseases can help us in their treatment. Today in the blog of people who live with pain we talk about osteoarthritis of the knee.

What is osteoarthritis of the knee?

A knee osteoarthritis is also known as arthritis "by use and wear" as it is a common disease in people of middle age. It is the most common degenerative disease of the knee. It appears as the bones age. It is one of the types of arthritis with the highest incidence. The development of the disease occurs slowly and the pain worsens with the passage of time.



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A healthy knee can flex without difficulty. This occurs thanks to a soft and slippery tissue called articular cartilage that protects and cushions the ends of the bones of the knee. Osteoarthritis eats these cartilages.

Also, given the similarities between them, we recommend that you check the differences between arthritis or osteoarthritis .

What are the causes of knee osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis of the knee, as we have told you, is among the most frequent knee pain causes .

Osteoarthritis occurs with the passage of time and wear. The cartilage deteriorates and gets rough when you feel pain in the area that is not protected by the cartilage.

When the cartilage wears out completely to compensate for the loss of cartilage, damaged bones can grow and form painful spurs.

Several factors increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis:

•     Age The ability of the cartilage to repair itself can decrease with age.
•     Heritage Some hereditary features, such as bowed legs, knees together or joint laxity, may increase your risk of having this disease.
•     Weight The weight that the knees must support is key to their early development.
•     Injuries A knee injury can cause osteoarthritis in the future.
•     Overexertion People who must kneel or bend over, lift heavy objects and walk as part of their work are more vulnerable to injuries and the subsequent development of osteoarthritis.

Main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

Pain and stiffness are the most frequent symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. As with other similar conditions, symptoms get worse in the morning or after a period of inactivity.

The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis are common to any type of arthritis : loss of mobility and pain.

•     The loss of mobility. Patients see their physical movements limited: walking, going down stairs, sewing, writing, painting, etc.
•     The pain Increases when moving the affected joint. Otherwise, it decreases when we rest and it appears when we make certain types of movements. It also tends to be more intense at the last minute of the day or when we make an effort, etc.

What are the most common treatments for knee osteoarthritis?

There is no cure for this disease, although there are many treatment options available. These are intended to relieve pain, maintain normal activity and improve the quality of life. These are the main treatments:

•     Exercise. You can perform gentle exercises such as walking, cycling and swimming as excellent options.
•     Weightloss. Losing some weight can decrease the level of tension that supports the articulation of your knee.
•     Physiotherapy. Some assistive devices also help decrease joint tension.
•     Medicines. Your doctor can incorporate some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory to your treatment. Also drugs like Ibuprofen reduce pain and swelling.
•     Surgery. It is possible that due to the condition of the disease it is advisable to perform surgery if the pain also worsens and causes disability.
•     Arthroscopy It may be necessary to remove pieces of cartilage to smooth the surface of worn cartilage.
•     Replacement of the joint . It may be necessary to remove the entire knee joint or some of the damaged parts and replace it with a prosthesis.

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Symptoms and treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease related to the wear and tear of the joints. This wear leads to a progressive destruction of the cartilage. Joint capsules and muscles near the affected area can also be affected.

The cartilage is very important for the joints, since it is the tissue that cushions the movement of the bones. In the most severe cases, the cartilage wears out in a certain joint. This means that the bones rub against each other. Typically, osteoarthritis occurs in the hands, neck or back. It also occurs in joints that support more body weight, such as the knees and hips.



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Causes of osteoarthritis

The causes that cause osteoarthritis are not yet fully defined . On the other hand, it has been possible to demonstrate that this ailment is directly related to age . It is a risk factor due to the decrease in elasticity and the recovery capacity of the cartilage related to the passage of time. Still many young people already notice the first signs of joint wear.

Thus, it can be assumed therefore that osteoarthritis is caused by a combination of factors.

• Injuries and accidents. About one third of cases of osteoarthritis are due to an accident. The smaller of the lesions causes a process of degeneration of the articular cartilage. Even small tears in tendons and ligaments affect the cartilage.

• Sustained overload. When certain movements are carried out day after day for years can lead to an overload of the affected joints. The cases of osteoarthritis related to work are not at all exceptional. Overweight and obesity are also bad for the joints.

•Genetic heritage. The cause of osteoarthritis can also be in the genes: studies have shown that genetic predisposition can be responsible for joint wear.

• Incorrect posture. Many people have a congenital deformity in the joint. This can accelerate its degradation.

Another cause that may favor the onset of osteoarthritis is the lack of physical activity.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis include a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the joint when standing up . It is also typical to feel severe pain when initiating a movement that gradually diminishes with the additional burden. Other symptoms of osteoarthritis are the sound of crunches during movement or muscle tension and inflammation around the joint. Thus, the common symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

Moderate pain

It appears and disappears when doing physical activities such as bending or walking. It is a persistent pain in the joints even when you are still or at the time of sleep.
Rigidity or numbness in the joints

It occurs when a long time in the same position or on the contrary, by excessive movements.

Also, many patients also have an increased sensitivity to moisture and cold.

It should be noted that the more the joint wear increases, the more intense the symptoms become. The pain becomes more frequent, even at rest, and the mobility of the affected joint is less and less.

Exercise to strengthen the joint

The German Society of Sports Medicine and Prevention recommends the practice of the following sports in order to reduce the effects of osteoarthritis: gymnastics, cycling, walking, swimming and water gymnastics.

Other measures to treat osteoarthritis

The treatments differ according to the severity of the symptoms . In general they consist in diminishing the pain and improving the movement of the affected joints. That is why there are treatments for mild osteoarthritis and for the stages that are more serious.

The plans to treat the disease from the medical point of view are based on the combination of medications, physical therapies to relieve pain and education to protect the joints .

What we can do to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis is to rest , control weight , perform moderate physical activity , use heat or cold in the area, swim or take warm baths .

In very advanced cases in which there is joint damage or functional limitations of the joints, surgery will be recommended.

    Pharmacotherapy. While the articular cartilage is not too damaged, some medications may be prescribed. The purpose is to relieve pain and inflammation in order to improve the ability to move.

The most well-known medications for joint pain are non-steroidal antirheumatics (NSAR). The term "non-steroidal" means that they do not contain cortisone. However, NSARs can be used only briefly, and in as small a dose as possible, as they have quite a few side effects. Other medications that are commonly used are selective COX-2 inhibitors, which do not have as many side effects as NSARs.

•     Physiotherapy to treat osteoarthritis. Physiotherapy exercises improve joint mobility and work at the same time reduce pain.
•     The replacement of synovial fluid. This treatment is often used successfully in osteoarthritis of the knee, treatment in which hyaluronic acid is injected directly into the joint cavity.
•     Surgery. Certain operations can be performed on outpatients, such as arthroscopy. Through this minimally invasive surgery, the joint can be cleaned and dried, reinforcing the cartilage. The last resort is the replacement of the joint, an option that should only be considered when other treatments have failed.

More information

Osteoarthritis is not a disease that appears overnight. joint wear and tear is a process that extends over the years . It can be a long time before someone really feels pain in the joints, which, unfortunately, causes that in many cases arthritis is not recognized until it is in a very advanced state. This is a serious impediment, because an early recognition and treatment would be really beneficial. Therefore, it is important to recognize the warning signs of osteoarthritis in time .

Initial stage of osteoarthritis

At the base of each case of osteoarthritis we found a defect in the cartilage layer. Although in the first instance it is limited to a small area, there is already a danger. Even with minimal damage to the cartilage, the joint undergoes profound changes . X-rays can detect these signals that indicate the onset of osteoarthritis. Little by little, the loose particles of cartilage reach the synovial fluid and damage the interior of the joint. This accelerates the development of osteoarthritis

Intermediate stage of osteoarthritis

Many patients are in this intermediate stage of osteoarthritis. The duration of this stage varies from person to person and depends mainly on the degree of load that the damaged joint supports. Because the cartilage is gradually reduced, the pressure on the underlying bone is increasing. The only way for the body to balance this is by distributing it better, which means that the surface of the joint becomes larger and bony prominences called osteophytes are created. These protuberances are visible from the outside of the joint. The changes cause immobilization of the joint and an increase in cartilage damage.

Advanced stage of osteoarthritis

The underlying bones become exposed as the cartilage wears out, leaving it unprotected and coming into direct contact with the opposite bone. The bones of the joint have changed: they are much more compact and hard, and therefore more recognizable in an X-ray. Once the joint cavity has completely disappeared, the affected joint becomes completely rigid , a situation that can only be treated by surgery.


Saving efforts causes more damage

When mere movement causes pain, an effort-saving attitude is automatically assumed involuntarily in order to attenuate the symptoms as much as possible. But this attempt to save the joint can end up inflicting even more damage, because by avoiding certain movements the muscular tension in the joint is crowded .