What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that affects many people and exists in several forms, each caused by a different underlying mechanism. Despite their different causes, all forms of arthritis share common symptoms including pain, inflammation, tenderness, stiffness and swelling and reduced mobility of the affected joint. There is generally no cure for arthritis but there are treatments available that can relieve symptoms and help improve joint mobility.
The most common forms of arthritis are:
- Osteoarthritis or “wear and tear” of the joints is caused disintegration of the cartilage that normally cushions the ends of the joints, leaving the unprotected bones to rub against each other. It is most common in the hips, knees, hands and spine.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, when the immune system attacks the body’s tissues, in this case the lining of the joint or synovium, causing inflammation and swelling of the joint. Because it is a systemic disease, it can affect many different parts of the body.
- Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid in the blood that becomes deposited in the joints, resulting in acute inflammation, swelling and pain in a specific joint, most commonly the big toe.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis caused by chronic inflammation of the vertebrae in the spine that can eventually lead to fusion of the vertebrae, restricting movement of the spine.
Natural therapies for arthritis
Joints need healthy flexible cartilage to protect and cushion them against wear and tear. Cartilage is synthesised in the body from building blocks that include glucosamine and chondroitin, but as we age less is produced, which increases risk of developing osteoarthritis. Supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin may help improve levels needed to maintain cartilage and help reduce the progression of osteoarthritis.
Inflammation is a symptom common to all forms of arthritis. It is caused by the production of inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins that cause swelling, redness, pain and reduced mobility. Anti-inflammatory medications prevent the formation of prostaglandins by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis prostaglandins. These anti-inflammatory medications, also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and can be used as oral or topical medications.
Treatments for Gout
Treatments for gout include medications that reduce formation of uric acid crystals and reduce the action of inflammatory cells in affected joints.
Osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass resulting in brittle bones, which can fracture more easily, causing pain and disability. Osteoporosis affects men and women and is often associated with the aging process. Other causes of osteoporosis include lack of oestrogen in postmenopausal women, following treatment with corticosteroids that can cause bone loss, as well as several risk factors. Medications available for osteoporosis include the non-hormonal bisphosphonates, Vitamin D and oestrogen receptor modulators, which all help increase bone density by reducing the rate of bone loss.