How to treat arthritis of the joints. Traditional medicine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

24.02.2020

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammatory disease joints. A person experiences pain during active movements, flexion and extension, as well as when walking, if the joints of the legs are inflamed. Sometimes the skin over the diseased joint begins to redden, there is a local increase in temperature or a general fever.

If one joint is affected, then the disease is called "monoarthritis", and if several joints are involved in the process, then this is "polyarthritis". If the disease is not treated, then over time all articular tissues will be affected: bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, surrounding muscles, bursa, synovial membrane. The disease can occur suddenly, in which case doctors talk about acute arthritis, and also develop over time, slowly progressing (chronic arthritis).

If we turn to statistics, then every person who has crossed the line of 65 years is included in the risk group. Among pensioners, the number of people suffering from this pathology is about 60%. Doctors argue that this figure does not reflect the true state of affairs: if each patient presented their complaints to them, and did not try to treat the disease on their own, the statistics in Russia would look even sadder. But do not think that arthritis is an exclusively senile disease. It can affect people at a younger age and even children. It all depends on the causes pathological changes in the joints.

Tens of millions of people around the world are thought to suffer from the symptoms of arthritis, and according to recent studies, this number is increasing year by year. According to data (CDC), the figure is as much as 22.7% of the total adult population.

The very first signs of arthritis

Do you have arthritis? Only a doctor can tell you for sure, but according to Greg Freeman, there are 4 early signs of arthritis that should prompt you to see a rheumatologist:

Pain. Arthritis pain may be constant or may come and go. It can appear both at rest and during movement. The pain can be in one part of the body or in many different parts.

Edema. In some types of arthritis, the skin over the affected joint becomes red and swollen and warm to the touch. Swelling that lasts 3 days or longer, or occurs more than three times a month, should prompt you to see a doctor.

Rigidity. This is a classic symptom of arthritis, especially when you wake up in the morning or sit still for a long time. Morning stiffness that lasts longer than an hour, is a striking early symptom indicating arthritis.

Difficulty bending a joint. If you find it hard or painful to get up from a chair, this is a sign of early arthritis.

Symptoms, depending on the type of arthritis

Arthritis, like any other disease, has a number of symptoms. They may develop gradually or suddenly. Because the disease is most often chronic, symptoms may come and go or persist over time.

Because there are several types of arthritis, it's important to know which one you have. There are some similarities between the two, but there are also some key differences. There are about 200 types of arthritis, they are divided into 7 main groups.

Osteoarthritis - the most common type of arthritis, has a degenerative-destructive character. This is the "wear and tear" that occurs when your joints are overworked. This usually happens with age, but can also be due to joint injuries or excess weight that puts extra stress on the joints.

What's happening? The gradual destruction of cartilage tissue leads to the fact that pain intensifies, then the shape of the joint changes, appear bone growths. The disease is dangerous because with it the bones and cartilage that have undergone destruction will no longer be able to recover on their own. The disease begins with coarsening of the cartilage. After that, the body may try to replace the lost synovial fluid that surrounds the joint. Then the following might happen:

Osteophytes are small bone growths that will begin to grow into the joint.

The amount of thick fluid inside the joint may increase.

The bursa can stretch and the joint can lose its shape.

Symptoms: depend on which joint is affected:

Deep aching pain.

Depending on which joints are involved, it can be difficult to dress, comb your hair, pick up things, bend over, squat, or climb stairs.

Morning stiffness that usually lasts less than 30 minutes.

Pain when walking.

Stiffness in joints after rest.

This is a systemic autoimmune disease with damage to connective tissues and joints in an erosive-destructive type. Sometimes it can spread to internal organs. In 70% of cases, the patient becomes disabled. This is a very serious disease with an etiology not fully understood, it mainly occurs in people in middle and older age (40-50 years), in women three times more often than in men.

What's happening? In this type of arthritis, the immune system attacks its own healthy joints, causing them to become inflamed. This can eventually lead to serious joint damage. Throughout the illness, a person experiences general malaise, loss of appetite, weakness. During periods of exacerbation, an increase in body temperature is observed.

Symptoms: may appear gradually or begin suddenly.

Pain, stiffness and swelling in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, feet, jaws and neck.

More than one swollen joint. RA usually affects several joints at once.

Symmetrical drawing. For example, if your finger joints are inflamed on your left hand, then it is likely that on right hand they get sick too.

morning stiffness can last for hours or even most of the day. You may be constantly tired, your appetite will decrease.

Spondylosis is a term that describes a number of conditions causing pain and swelling, mainly around the joints of the spine. There is inflammation of small pieces of connective tissue, called enthesis. These are tough little cords that connect ligaments and tendons to bones.

This is a type of spondyloarthritis that causes pain and swelling around the spine. In the people, this disease is known under the name.

What's happening? In this disease, in response to inflammation around the spine, the body produces more of the mineral calcium. Normally, calcium is used by the body to build strong bones, but in ankylosing spondylitis, it causes the bones in the spine to grow and this causes pain and stiffness. The pain, as a rule, worsens in the second half of the night, and in the morning there is swelling of the back, which lasts more than half an hour. There are medications that can slow this process down. Staying active will help minimize spinal stiffness, while maintaining good posture will help prevent spinal bending.

Symptoms: Characterized by complaints of pain in the sacrum and lower back, stiffness that occurs at rest, especially in the second half of the night and closer to the morning, and decreases with movement. Decreased flexibility in the spine. As the disease progresses, there is an increase in the expansion of the boundaries pain syndrome for the entire spine. One of characteristic symptoms- arcuate curvature of the spine and chronic stoop.

This is another type of spondylitis, which is an autoimmune disease. It is characterized by the gradual development of the disease, swelling at the site of the lesion and a local increase in temperature.

What's happening? In the place of inflammation of the joint, red spots appear, which cause discomfort to the person in the form and peeling. The nail plates are also affected in parallel, they begin to split. Any joint can be affected by this type of arthritis, but the fingers are more commonly affected. At the same time, they thicken and resemble sausages in shape. Pain at the initial stages of the development of the disease does not appear, and if it is present, then only in the morning. According to statistics, only 10-30% of patients with psoriasis also suffer from arthritis.

Symptoms: Swollen fingers and toes. The nails are often discolored in such patients.

Also known as "Still's disease" (also known as "children's arthritis"), it is a pathology that affects children under the age of 16 years. The causes are not exactly known, the nature of the disease is chronic, constantly progressing. In some patients, internal organs also suffer, which leads to disability, and sometimes death of the child.

This is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause painful swelling in the joints, usually in the thumb legs.

This also includes calcium crystal deposition disease.

What's happening? Gouty arthritis develops as a result of deposits uric acid, which is collected in the joint cavity. Uric acid is not excreted from the body, does not dissolve in the blood, but crystallizes and accumulates near the joints, which leads to pain and inflammation. A gouty attack often catches a person at night. To give impetus to the disease can either eat a large amount of meat, alcohol.

Symptoms: You often wake up with sudden, sharp pain in your big toe after drinking a lot of alcohol. During an attack, it is impossible to touch the inflamed area, as the person experiences severe pain, which is accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin. The body temperature remains normal, the attack passes as suddenly as it began. Total duration gout attack - 3 to 10 days, even if you do not treat it. If gout is left untreated for too long, it can affect your joints and kidneys, and the attacks themselves become more frequent and intense.

stages

There are 4 stages of arthritis:

Symptoms of the disease are practically absent. The first signs of inflammation can be detected only when x-ray examination. From time to time, a person experiences stiffness in the area of ​​the affected joints and a slight pain that appears during physical exertion.

The inflammation progresses, the articular tissues become thinner, erosions appear on the heads of the bones. External signs: hyperemia of the skin and swelling of the tissues surrounding the joints. When moving, you can hear a characteristic crunch.

Joint tissues begin to collapse, which leads to their deformation. Mobility is sharply limited, the pain does not stop. The functionality of the limb is impaired, but at this stage, the loss of joint performance is to some extent compensated by increased muscle tone.

The joint completely loses mobility, the changes that have occurred to it are irreversible. For arthritis of the knee joints, the formation of contractures is characteristic. If the disease affects the hip joints, ankylosis develops. In this case, the joint capsule is filled with bone or fibrous tissue, which leads to fusion of the bone heads.

Causes and Risk Factors for Arthritis

Depending on the variety and origin, one can distinguish the following reasons arthritis:

Infections, when harmful bacteria, fungi or viruses enter the body. Against this background, natural natural protection called immunity is turned on. But in case of malfunctions in its work, substances designed to fight pathogenic organisms, begin to destroy healthy cells and attack the joints;

Various kinds of joint injuries are also often put as the cause of the development of the disease;

Professional sports or constant excessive stress on the joints can trigger arthritis. For example, the ankles suffer in basketball players, the wrists in tennis players, the joints of the fingers in masseurs;

Excess body weight;

Congenital dislocation of the hip;

Diseases nervous system;

Allergy;

Work failures endocrine system. In particular, hormonal changes in a woman's body during menopause;

genetic predisposition;

Vitamin deficiency and malnutrition;

alcohol abuse;

Professional athletes suffer from traumatic arthritis to a greater extent. Regularly formed microcracks in the joints leads to the fact that they become inflamed.

Diagnostics

In order to accurately diagnose and determine the type of disease, it is required A complex approach, which includes examination, obtaining laboratory data and instrumental diagnostic methods.

If you have symptoms of arthritis, you should visit doctors such as a traumatologist, rheumatologist, infectious disease specialist, phthisiatrician and dermatologist. Each of the specialists will conduct a conversation with the patient, during which a detailed medical history will be collected. After oral questioning, the doctor will examine the affected joint, check it for sensitivity, determine the degree of mobility and muscle tone. Only after that the patient will be sent to the laboratory for the necessary tests.

According to specific blood parameters, the doctor will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis:

• Anil Bhave, Physiotherapist and Director of the Wassermann Laboratory at the Institute of Orthopedics. Rubina in Baltimore prescribes exercises that improve strength and flexibility in the hips, hamstrings, and quads.

  Just 1 simple exercise heals the knees - Dr. Evdokimenko:

  Proper nutrition

  Competent treatment without the made diet is impossible.

  In order to support sore joints, the following food groups should be included in the diet:

  Vegetables and fruits. All foods rich in coarse fiber and vitamins. Heat treatment should be kept to a minimum;

  Milk and all its derivatives: sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk, etc.;

  A wide variety of cereals;

  Fish, poultry, and sometimes lean meats.

Bromelain. Bromelain reduces pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and increases mobility. One study in patients with osteoarthritis found that taking a digestive enzyme supplement containing bromelain helped relieve pain as effectively as conventional arthritis medications such as diclofenac. Pineapple is the record holder among products for the content of bromelain.

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiable oils (ASU). ASU prevents the destruction of synovial cells in the joints and restores normal connective tissue. A large three-year study published in 2013 found that ASU significantly reduced the progression of hip arthritis compared to placebo. Piascledin 300 is currently registered. Also available as food additives: Avocado 300 Soy Unsaponifiables, Cosamin Avoca, Cartilast and more.

SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine). SAM-e acts as an analgesic (pain reliever) and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can stimulate cartilage growth and also affects neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which reduce the perception of pain. Two studies have shown that it relieves arthritis symptoms as effectively as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with less side effects and longer lasting effect.

How effective are other methods?

Splints, bondages and orthoses for fixing joints. Such orthopedic splints are worn on the hands, knees, elbows. They support the joints during movement. They can be worn every day and will make your daily work easier and less painful. This is especially true for arthritis of the knee (recent OARSI and ACR recommendations put them first for people with arthritis of the knee and would recommend to most patients.)

Balneotherapy. In 2014, OARSI recommended hot bathing for the first time. mineral water, visiting mud baths and water massage, as a method of relieving arthritis pain. "Several studies now support water therapy for reducing arthritis pain," says Dr. Macalindon.

According to a survey of Arthritis Foundation participants, the effectiveness of various procedures is:

Hot or cold compresses - 54%

Weight loss - 42%

Stretching muscles and joints - 36%

Various over-the-counter ointments and patches - 35%

Walking - 32%

Swimming - 28%

Other physical activity - 23%

Knee pad - 23%

Orthopedic shoes / style - 20%

• Long bath or jacuzzi - 17%

  
  

  

Arthritis is a disease of the joints, accompanied by their inflammation, the symptoms and treatment of which are most clearly described in the medical literature. The name of the disease comes from the word "athron", which in Greek means joint.

During arthritis, inflammatory changes occur in the inner articular synovium. In this place, synovitis develops, often an inflammatory effusion begins to accumulate - exudate.

Modern medicine understands arthritis as a whole group of diseases, united common features and features. The main clinical manifestations of the disease are swelling and pain. Such problems indicate that the cartilage tissue is affected, which is accompanied by changes in the joint capsule. At the same time, a person experiences pain in them and there is a restriction in movement.

What it is?

Symptoms various types arthritis more or less similar. Signs of arthritis are pain in the inflamed area, redness, heat over the inflamed joint, stiffness, and difficulty moving. You may have to face other troubles, such as fast fatiguability, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, fever. In some cases, patients may encounter difficulties in walking and household self-care.

Although the disease is common among adults, in some cases young people are also prone to arthritis. In the United States alone, more than 42 million people suffer from arthritis, with one in six people becoming disabled as a result of the disease. It should be noted that among the causes of disability in this country, arthritis is in the first place.

Various anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation and pain. Best combined with treatment drug therapy And therapeutic gymnastics. Reduce pain, swelling and inflammation massotherapy. According to statistics, arthritis shortens life by about 10 years, but rarely becomes a direct cause lethal outcome. To date, unfortunately, there are no drugs that could completely cure rheumatoid arthritis.

Causes of Arthritis

How does arthritis develop, and what is it? The disease may be due to various factors, including abrasion of the joint that occurs over time.

Also, the development of pathology is facilitated by joint infections and past injuries, allergies and autoimmune processes with the formation of antibodies that destroy the body's own tissues - joint components. Arthritis often occurs after an infection of the upper respiratory tract- , etc.

Arthritis and arthrosis - what's the difference?

The names of these joint diseases are consonant, but the symptoms accompanying them, the pathological process and treatment are different. So what is the difference, let's understand:

1. , or deforming osteoarthritis (DOA) is a chronic degenerative disease that proceeds in waves. One of the main characteristics of this disease is the damage to the cartilage tissue in the joint.
2. Arthritis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory disease of the entire body; and inflammation of the joints in arthritis is just the “tip of the iceberg”, under which some other processes occurring inside the body are hidden.

Arthrosis and arthritis differ in the nature of pain and discomfort during movement, accompanying symptoms and age of patients.

Classification

IN modern medicine It is customary to subdivide the disease into several types, the symptoms and methods of treatment of which will directly depend on the type of arthritis, and the cause that caused it.

1. - it accounts for more than 45% of diseases in which the causative agent is a staphylococcal infection.
2. Gouty - aka "". A fairly common type of disease associated with the deposition of salts and uric acid in the body.
3. - develops after illness and is accompanied by severe pain.
4. Rheumatic - inflammation of the joints,. In this case, the temperature rises, the elbow, knee and hip joints swell and turn red.
5. Traumatic - affects the largest joints, which are subjected to the greatest load: shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle.
6. Infectious - most often caused by intestinal infections (typhoid fever, salmonellosis, dysentery).
7. Psoriatic - chronic illness joints caused by .
8. Chlamydial - caused chlamydial infection after suffering, and other inflammatory processes.

Arthritis can often lead to disability. If the first manifestations of the disease occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.

arthritis symptoms

Arthritis, the first symptoms of which are most often felt in small joints, for example, or legs. Many experts believe that this disease was originally directed specifically at them.

Symptoms of arthritis can include redness, swelling, and changes in the structure of the joint, which can lead to damage, pain, and loss of joint function.

The main signs of arthritis that should alert an adult:

• joint pain;
• swelling in the joints;
• swelling of the joints;
• stiffness and limitation of movements in the joint area;
• redness of the skin around the joint;
• numbness of the joints, especially in the morning;
• local rise in temperature.

A person with arthritis gets tired quickly, and the pain increases when the patient is subjected to physical activity, sometimes the joints "crunch". In the results of the analyzes, and are observed, the presence of c-reactive protein. Unfortunately, the uniformity of symptoms for different causes of the disease makes it difficult to make an accurate and timely diagnosis.

Stages of development

In dynamics pathological process Arthritis is divided into four stages:

1. Clinically, the disease does not manifest itself, however, the first signs of inflammation are present on x-rays of the joints. Sometimes there is a slight stiffness of movements and periodic pain during physical exertion.
2. A progressive inflammatory process leads to thinning of the tissues of the articular structures and erosion of the bone heads. Swelling appears in the area of ​​the affected joints; often there is a local increase in temperature and redness of the skin, movements are accompanied by a crunch.
3. The gradual destruction of the articular structures leads to a significant deformation of the joints, limited mobility, constant pain and partial loss of joint function, which are partly compensated by muscle tension.
4. Pathological changes in articular tissues are irreversible; the diseased joint is completely immobilized. When the knee joints are affected, contractures are formed, in hip joints ankylosis develops - fusion of the heads of the articular bones due to the filling of the joint capsule with replacement bone or fibrous tissue.

How exacerbation manifests itself

Rheumatoid arthritis has two phases. Remission is a period of relative well-being, when the symptoms of the disease become less pronounced or disappear completely. On the contrary, during an exacerbation, not only signs of inflammation of the joints appear, but also general reactions.

Exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis is manifested by the following symptoms:

1. loss of appetite;
2. An increase in temperature to 37-38.5 ° C
3. Severe weakness and apathy;
4. Severe pain in the affected joints. It becomes constant and does not depend on the time of day. NSAIDs, most often, do not have any effect;
5. Perhaps the appearance of pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, discomfort in the eye area, decreased vision.

It is important to recognize an exacerbation of arthritis as early as possible, since during this period all organs of the patient suffer. Special treatment is needed to relieve all symptoms and return the disease to the remission phase.

Diagnostics

Diagnosing arthritis is a rather difficult task. This is due to the fact that the causes of inflammation in the joints can be different. Some types of arthritis are widespread and easily diagnosed, while there are those in which the correct diagnosis can only be made experienced doctor after a thorough examination of the patient.

The cause of arthritis may be any infectious process (local or general), joint injury, allergies, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders. There are also such inflammatory diseases of the joints, the etiology of which is still not clear enough, an example of such a pathology is “Rheumatoid arthritis”. To select a therapy for the treatment of arthritis, it is necessary to make a diagnosis and determine which factor led to the development of the pathological process.

Diagnosis of arthritis consists of the following data:

1. Careful medical history.
2. Identification of its connection with allergic, infectious diseases, trauma.
3. Characteristic clinical picture of arthritis.
4. Laboratory method of examination (when examining a patient, signs of inflammation, an increase in the level of uric acid, the presence of antibodies to group A hemolytic streptococcus, etc. are revealed).
5. Instrumental diagnostics (radiography, ultrasound, computed or magnetic resonance imaging).
6. Synovial fluid studies.

IN last years for a more accurate diagnosis of arthritis, arthroscopy is used, which allows for a thorough examination of the articular cavity, to collect synovial fluid for its subsequent analysis. main method instrumental diagnostics with arthritis is radiography. It is usually carried out in two projections, according to indications x-rays additional projections can also be made, which allow more detailed identification of local changes occurring in the affected joints.

To clarify changes in the articular tissues, which are usually poorly distinguishable with x-ray examination, for example, areas of the epiphyses, use computer or magnetic resonance imaging. The main difficulty in diagnosing arthritis is that none of the methods of laboratory or instrumental diagnosis of the disease makes it possible to unequivocally and accurately make the correct diagnosis. To diagnose arthritis, identify its cause, and therefore, the correct choice of prescribed treatment, it is necessary comprehensive examination patient. All data obtained from the survey should then be linked to clinical picture diseases.

Consequences

Complications of arthritis are early and late. TO early complications include phlegmon, panarthritis (acute purulent arthritis). Late complications include osteomyelitis, sepsis, contractures, and pathological dislocations.

Arthritis treatment

The sooner arthritis treatment is started, the more effective it will be. This is due to the fact that the first and second stages of the development of the disease are not characterized by a pronounced degree of joint deformity. First of all, the treatment of the disease depends on the nature and causes of the disease that caused it. Basically, the treatment of arthritis is aimed at reducing pain, eliminating inflammation and preventing the progress of the disease.

So, how to treat arthritis and what principles of therapy are the most important? The main components used are:

1. Pharmacological methods of treatment: the use of ointments, creams and gels; intraarticular administration of glucocorticosteroids.
2. Vitamin therapy, intake of macro- and microelements, diet therapy, intake of amino acids (methionine, arginine) necessary for the construction of new tissues.
3. Non-drug methods of treatment: selection orthopedic shoes, reducing stress on the joints, getting rid of bad habits, therapeutic gymnastics, massage, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and electrical impulse stimulation of muscles.
4. Surgical methods of treatment or joint arthroplasty are used only for the most advanced forms of arthritis.
5. In the case of complicated forms, the introduction of stem cells can be used.

Designed for arthritis patients specialized complexes Exercise therapy, which are aimed at developing flexibility and strength. They are necessarily supplemented with aerobic exercises. It may seem to some patients that such a load is too great for a person with sore joints. However, this is not quite true. Firstly, you should start exercising during remission, and secondly, the complex is selected individually, taking into account the degree of damage to the joints. Regular classes give an amazing effect.

In addition, they need to adhere to a special diet, which we will discuss below.

Physiotherapy

The following methods are highly effective:

1. Galvanic currents;
2. Irradiation of the joint with ultraviolet waves;
3. Diathermy - exposure to low-frequency current on the joint area, in order to warm it up;
4. Electrical stimulation according to Gerasimov is a new method of physiotherapy, the principle of which is to stimulate the tissues around the joint with a low-frequency current. The course of treatment is 3-6 procedures, and the effect of it lasts for several years. After therapy, patients note a decrease in the severity of pain, stiffness and signs of inflammation (swelling and redness of the joints).

It should be noted that physiotherapy does not replace medical treatment, but only complements it. Otherwise, rheumatoid arthritis will steadily progress and lead to damage and distortion of the joints.

Modern drugs

The latest generation of drugs against rheumatoid arthritis are drugs that selectively reduce the activity of inflammatory substances in the body: interleukins, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and others. They have proven their effectiveness not only in pharmacological tests, but also in real clinical practice. Another advantage is the rare occurrence of adverse reactions.

The main representative of this group of drugs:

• Infliximab (synonyms - Remicade, Flammagis);
• Etanercept (synonym - Enbrel);
• Adalimumab.

Why are these drugs not widely used? It's about the price. The cost of 20 ml of the drug, on average, is 45,000-50,000 thousand rubles. Not every hospital or patient can afford it.

How to treat arthritis with folk remedies

Apart from traditional ways, the treatment of arthritis can be supplemented with folk remedies. Recipes in the arsenal traditional healers collected in great numbers. However, starting home treatment, you need to be patient.

1. Take 1 tbsp. l. salt and dissolve in a glass boiled water. Freeze in a small mold in the freezer. Put the resulting ice on the diseased joint and keep until completely thawed. Without rinsing, wrap the joint with a woolen scarf (shawl) for 3-4 hours.
2. Treatment with a mixture of juices - grind one medium beetroot, one large apple and 2 carrots. Squeeze the juice from the pulp, add a third of a teaspoon of ginger powder, mix all the ingredients thoroughly and drink 3 servings of this mixture during the day.
3. Twenty cyclamen tubers must be boiled in 10 liters of water. For one procedure, 1 - 2 liters of broth is enough. Such therapeutic baths for hands and feet should be done daily for 30 minutes until the condition improves.
4. Take the package bay leaf and put half into a bowl. Pour 300 ml of boiling water over and boil for 5 minutes. Then wrap it up better and let it brew for three hours. After 3 hours, strain and drink before going to bed. And so 3 days in a row. In a week it is necessary to repeat the course.
5. We take the flowers of black elderberry - 1 part. Birch leaves - 4 parts. Willow bark - 5 parts. The crushed ingredients are mixed, 1 tablespoon of the mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water. The infusion wraps up. After half an hour, the product is ready. You need to take half a glass of infusion 4 times a day before meals.
6. This method consists in applying mustard plasters to a sore spot to warm up the joints, thereby relieving the patient from pain.

diet for arthritis

For adults suffering from various forms of arthritis, a special diet is recommended that helps reduce acidity.

• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• fresh juices;
• mackerel, trout, salmon;
• fish fat;
• mineral water;
• dairy products.

A balanced diet for arthritis should be rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids from the Omega 3 group and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Strong tea, coffee should be removed from the diet, and alcohol consumption should be reduced. Refuse to use meat, mushroom and fish broths; all types of smoked meats; salty and fried fish; caviar; all varieties of legumes. Fans of muffins, chips and jams will have to choose between their health and food addictions.

The main thing to remember is that the diet for arthrosis and arthritis should be balanced, low in calories, and also contain vitamins and minerals.

Prevention

For comprehensive prevention of arthritis, the following rules must be observed:

1. Keep track of your weight excess weight increases joint wear;
2. Do not smoke or drink alcohol - this also affects the joints negatively;
3. Keep correct posture, which reduces the load on the joints;
4. Lift weights correctly, without bending the spine left and right, avoiding injuries and unnecessary stress on the joints and muscles;
5. Exercise regularly, as a well-developed " muscle corset» reduces stress on the joints;
6. Reduce the consumption of sugar and other easily digestible carbohydrate carbonated drinks;
7. Take breaks from work that involves prolonged sitting/standing. During breaks, do light exercises;
8. Properly organize workplace so that it was comfortable to sit, you did not have to lean forward, throw your head back, strain your back and neck.

It is also worth eating a balanced diet, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (fatty fish, fish oil) and calcium (dairy products, fish) in the diet, also exclude animal fats (a source of "bad" cholesterol), eat more vegetables and fruits. Omega-3-unsaturated fatty acids relieve the symptoms of arthritis (in particular, due to the synthesis of anti-inflammatory molecules - resolvins). A study of 2112 patients with radiographically confirmed osteoarthritis of the knee showed that higher magnesium intake was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of osteoarthritis (P=0.03)

Forecast

On early stages acute infectious arthritis responds well to treatment up to full recovery joint functions.

If the development of the inflammatory process is associated with endogenous factors, it is more difficult to achieve recovery, but it is possible to slow down the rate of progression of the disease, prevent the development of complications and avoid disability.

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Every person has encountered in his life with elderly people whose joints are disfigured. In most cases, old age is considered the main culprit. This is somewhat incorrect. What is capable of deforming the joints so terribly? Certainly, we will talk about arthritis. The inflammatory process seriously damages the joints. Can this be prevented? And how to treat arthritis? Let's figure it out.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This is an inflammatory disease that has a chronic form. Initially, one joint is affected. But in some cases, the disease can cover several at once. Most often, the disease begins its journey from the small joints of the hands or feet. However, there is also an initial lesion of the elbow, knee, temporomandibular, and hip joints.

Unfortunately, a progressive disease leads to irreversible processes in the joints. The disease remains forever, gradually worsening the condition of the bones. Therefore, the question arises quite sharply: how to treat rheumatoid arthritis? After all, periodically the disease makes itself felt with various exacerbations.

The patient reacts sharply enough to injuries, hypothermia, climatic conditions, stress, physical activity, infections. In the course of the disease, internal organs are also affected. These are, as a rule, kidneys, blood vessels, heart, nervous system, lungs. Complications occur at any stage of the disease. These consequences are mostly reversible if the patient does not self-medicate and the question of how to treat arthritis is discussed initially with the doctor.

The main causes of the disease

The source of the development of the disease can be one (or more) of the factors:

• genetic predisposition. It is not the disease itself that is inherited, but a violation in the functioning of the immune system. Incorrect response to infections can cause arthritis.
• Psycho-emotional stress and physical activity. Often, childbirth and abortion lead to an illness. Trouble in the social or family sphere can lead to illness. Provoke the appearance of arthritis and radiation, chemical, toxic effects on the body.
• Infections. To date, several agents have been identified that can become an impetus for the development of the disease. Some of them: herpes viruses, rubella, Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, retroviruses, mycoplasma. But none can be the only cause of the disease. This is a kind of trigger mechanism that connects other factors.

Visit doctor

When faced with a formidable illness for the first time, patients experience confusion. How to treat arthritis in fingers? (As previously noted, these are often the first joints that the disease affects.) The main thing is not to panic.

Arthritis treatment will only be successful if it is started on time. Therefore, those who do not want to become disabled must visit a rheumatologist without fail. In the meantime, let's look at how to treat finger arthritis.

Medical methods

Modern doctors are able to offer many effective ways to deal with the disease. These measures can relieve joint problems for a long period. A medical professional will not only select the necessary therapy, but will also explain in detail how to treat arthritis and arthrosis. Methods of dealing with the disease consist of the following steps:

• Diagnostics. The type of arthritis, the main causes of its occurrence are determined.
• Prescribing antibacterial drugs.
• The use of non-steroidal and hormonal ointments, tablets. Intra-articular injections may be included. Their action is to relieve inflammation and reduce pain. Often the choice of a doctor stops at the use of such medicines:

  - "Diclofenac" - gel;
  - capsules "Celebrex";
  - tablets and ointment "Nise";
  - Movalis injections or tablets.

• Restoration of cartilage tissue. This is a very lengthy process. So it pays to be patient. Chondroprotectors "Teraflex", "Artron Chondrex" are used as restorative agents.
• Physiotherapy. To speed up recovery with the subsequent consolidation of the results will allow the following procedures:

  Massotherapy;
  - mud treatment;
  - ultrasound;
  - warming up;
  - magnetotherapy.

• Physiotherapy. Swimming pool recommended special complex exercises. This method is acceptable in the remission phase.
• Diet. To stop the further progression of the disease, you should enrich your diet with antioxidants and vitamin E.
• Surgical intervention. An extreme measure, which is used only in case of ineffective drug treatment. During the operation, the affected joint is replaced with a prosthesis.

It should be noted that all methods of dealing with the disease are purely individual. What works for one patient may not always work for another. Therefore, you should not self-medicate. All methods and questions about how to treat arthritis of the joints should be discussed with the doctor.

Folk remedies

These measures cannot be self-treatment. However, their use may favorably affect the course of the disease. But do not forget, before treating arthritis with folk remedies, be sure to heed the advice of a doctor.

Such medicine can really help the patient. Especially if, along with the use of folk remedies, lead the right way of life, engage in special gymnastics.

marsh cinquefoil

For people seeking to find the answer to the question of how to treat rheumatoid arthritis, traditional medicine advises precisely the above-named herb. It is used as a tincture for oral administration, and in the form of an ointment. The results from the application are quite effective.

• Tincture of cinquefoil . The root of the plant should be cut lengthwise. Grind thoroughly. The resulting pieces should be about 1 cm in size. Approximately 200 g of the prepared root must be poured with vodka (1 l). Use glass containers. Three weeks the composition must be infused. Then the solution should be filtered. Press the roots carefully. It is recommended to take the remedy before meals, approximately half an hour. Single dose - 1 tbsp. l. After drinking the tincture for 4-6 weeks, be sure to take a break lasting a month. It is recommended to keep the solution tightly closed, in a dark place. Temperature - room temperature.
• Ointment from tincture of cinquefoil. Production takes place in a water bath. Take goose (pork) fat and combine with tincture of cinquefoil (10:1). The resulting ointment should be rubbed into the damaged joints overnight. Be sure not to forget to wrap the sore spots with warm towels.

Coniferous infusions

How to treat arthritis? Only in complex ways. ethnoscience advises the use of antitumor and immunomodulatory agents to combat rheumatoid arthritis. An excellent drug is an infusion of pine needles. It is aimed at strengthening the immune system.

Grind the pine needles. The resulting ingredient, in the amount of 0.5 cups, pour boiling water. The latter will require 1 liter. The mixture should be infused for 15-20 minutes. Add 1 liter of cooled boiled water to it. Strain the infusion. Then send it to the refrigerator for 5-6 hours. Carefully, without shaking the settled sediment, drain the infusion. The dose of this drug is 0.5 cups. Drink the indicated amount of infusion 5-6 times throughout the day. If desired, you can add honey, sugar, lemon juice to the product.

Folk ointment

There are many different methods for solving the problem. Enough effective way that allows you to answer the question of how to treat hand arthritis is healing ointment. For its manufacture, you will need 1 egg yolk, turpentine - 1 tsp. - and the same amount of vinegar (apple). By carefully mixing the ingredients, you will get the necessary ointment. This remedy should be rubbed into damaged joints.

Bulb compress

A fairly effective way to treat arthritis.

On a small grater, chop one medium onion. The resulting gruel is an amazing panacea. For about half an hour, apply the resulting composition to damaged joints. It is recommended to repeat the procedure several times a day.

Warm bath

In search of an answer to the question of how to treat arthritis, most people carefully study folk remedies. Doctors do not exclude the use of such drugs as an adjuvant therapy. The main thing to remember is that the use of each method should be decided with the doctor.

A fairly effective way is a warming bath. For her, stock up on the essential oil of sandalwood, calendula or St. John's wort. They can be easily purchased at a pharmacy. Add a few drops to warm water essential oil. Immerse your arthritis-damaged hands in the liquid for 15-20 minutes.

Potato infusion

Take one raw potato and chop it thoroughly. You can use a small grater. Pour the resulting slurry with a glass of kefir. This drug should be used according to a certain scheme.

So, for the first decade (10 days), drink the infusion daily. In the second - the medicine is applied every other day. During the third decade, drink the drink every 2 days.

Thus, the course is stretched for 2 months. Potato infusion allows you to get rid of pain for enough long time. But, unfortunately, the symptoms may return. Therefore, it is recommended to repeat the course after a while in order to prevent.

Buttercup compresses

Another lovely way showing how to treat knee arthritis- this is the use of warming bandages. You have to be very careful with this method. It is necessary to apply a compress on the injured knee only for 2 hours. Otherwise, you are guaranteed a severe burn.

To make a compress, you need a handful of buttercup flowers. Mash them to make juice. Apply this slurry on the damaged joint. Wrap the compress with polyethylene. Secure with a bandage carefully. After 1-2 hours (the time varies depending on the severity of the disease), the compress should be removed.

After this remedy, a small burn will remain on the skin. The next day, the place will be covered with blisters. You shouldn't pierce them. Wrap with clean gauze as they will get wet. Healers promise that the blisters are completely painless, so you should not be afraid of them. But with their disappearance from the skin, arthritis will completely disappear.

If the blisters do not appear the next day, then, unfortunately, the procedure must be repeated again.

Conclusion

Be sure to discuss all questions about how to treat arthritis with your doctor. This will avoid unpleasant complications and consequences. After all, only a doctor is able to correctly diagnose the disease, exclude individual intolerance, take into account the interaction various means. Therefore, remember that using any prescription without consulting a doctor is a huge risk of acquiring a "bouquet" of complications.

Arthritis is internal inflammation joint that affects cartilage, synovium, capsule, joint fluid. This disease can have a different nature of origin, but is almost always accompanied by swelling, swelling and painful sensations in the joint.

Causes and symptoms of pathology

In advanced stages, the result of a complication of this disease can be the regeneration of the inflammatory process to other organs and parts of the body.

The main focus of arthritis of the joint is an infection that has penetrated into the components of the joint.

CausesHowever, the occurrence of this infection can be:

Ignoring the symptoms, not attaching importance to it, the degree of complexity of arthritis is exacerbated, this disease increasingly manifests itself not in the elderly, but in the young. That is why arthritis is called the "disease of the century."

Arthritis initially attacks small joints such as fingers and toes, then ankles and knees, and has the ability to spread through the skeletal system.

Initially, the symptoms are poorly identified, there may be short-term pain during physical exertion.

Over time, symptoms may show up in:

Difference Between Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Arthritis treatment

To diagnose Arthritis, you can contact a vertebrologist, rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon, physiotherapist.

Diagnostics is being carried out various methods:

is a difficult task, since it is necessary to identify the exact cause from the many possible infectious diseases, injuries, allergies, etc. The difficulty in diagnosing Arthritis is that none of the methods gives an accurate result, so the patient undergoes a comprehensive examination, on the basis of which the doctor prescribes treatment.

Treatment of arthritis is divided into surgical and conservative (complex).

There are a number of methods conservative treatment arthritis, which in combination, will help get rid of the disease, which include:

• Medical treatment;
• Physiotherapy;
• Diet therapy;
• Physiotherapy;

Arthritis Treatment Methods

With medical treatment, apply:

In very rare and advanced cases, drug treatment includes hormonal preparations inhibiting the progression of complex forms of arthritis. When using antibiotics, prebiotics are additionally attributed to preserving the microflora and gastrointestinal tract.

Physiotherapy

Along with drug treatment, it is necessary to undergo physiotherapy procedures that relax muscles and ligaments, significantly reduce pain and inflammatory syndromes.

Physiotherapy.

For effective treatment of arthritis, in combination with drug treatment and physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises are performed for diseased joints. The main task of which is to develop the affected areas, increase the mobility of diseased joints.

Passing a course of gymnastics, it is possible discomfort in the affected areas. At the initial stages, the exercises must be performed in a gentle mode, gradually increasing the load.

Gymnastics (exercise therapy) is appointed exclusively by a specialist and requires, without fail, the regularity of performance.

ethnoscience

There are a huge number of recipes for ointments, compresses, rubbing and teas that help fight unpleasant arthritis pain syndromes.

Help to remove puffiness, pain, swelling, reduce outward manifestation inflammatory processes.

TO medicinal herbs, struggling with arthritis include: calendula, St. John's wort, hawthorn, nettle, string, wild rosemary, elderberry.

Here are some folk recipes:

These methods will help relieve the primary symptoms of arthritis.

Nutrition for arthritis, disease prevention

Arthritis, as a disease, requires strict dietary adherence to nutrition.

It is necessary to exclude from the diet:

It is necessary to give preference in nutrition, in favor of sour-milk and calcium-rich foods, fish, lean meats, vegetables and fruits, freshly squeezed juices. From heat treatment, apply baking, boiling, stewing.

For such a diet, your joints and your body will be grateful to you, your condition will improve in general!

Do not forget about weight control, as its excess is an additional burden on the joints.

It is worth giving up smoking, alcohol, coffee, which adversely affects the joints.

Arthritis is a disease that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

With timely response and prevention of Arthritis, management healthy lifestyle life, proper nutrition and rational distribution of physical activity, Arthritis - can be cured!