What's this blog all about then?...

Arthritis affects over nine million people in the UK. Many of these people feel disempowered by this “disease” they have been diagnosed with, and do not realise there are ways they can help themselves feel better and enjoy the things in life they love.

This blog will explore the different elements involved when it comes to gaining control over your health. This is actually a fundamentally important concept – your goal and focus should be on gaining health and wellness, not on reducing or controlling pain and sickness. You will gravitate towards what you focus on, so make it something positive!

The Problem with Drugs (here’s the only negative part of this blog!)

Medications, such as painkillers, have a part to play. They can alleviate symptoms temporarily and provide short term relief; for some people with severe pain they are a lifeline. But masking the symptoms is not dealing with the problem, and painkillers will not help your body’s healing processes; in fact they can hinder it.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin, are commonly used to treat arthritis, and may mistakenly be thought of as safe because they are so easy to get hold of. These drugs kill approximately 1 in 1000 people who take them for more than two months. They can cause bleeding in the stomach and are responsible for over 12000 hospital admissions in the UK every year. 

These risks aside, they stop your body regenerating cartilage and actually make arthritis WORSE in the long run.

A newer class of NSAIDs are called Cox-2 inhibitors, eg. celecoxib. These are safer than traditional NSAIDs for gastrointestinal problems, but can double or triple your risk of death if you have already had a heart attack.

It is worth noting that the risk of serious complications from these medications significantly increases over 65 years of age, also with the length of time you take them for. As many people with arthritis are older and have chronic pain, it is important that they weigh up these risks when choosing how to manage their health.  

There are other medications available besides NSAIDs, but all have potential side effects and can cause harm to the kidneys or other organs. “Always read the label”.

As I said before, medications have their place. The key is to realise that if you do use them, they are only one piece of the puzzle.

So what else can you do? (positive stuff from now on!)

Nutrition

Inflammation is a key factor in the pain you experience with arthritis.

Some foods make inflammation worse, others reduce it. Making simple food choices can mean the difference between a lot of pain and a little. Making some basic changes to your shopping list, one thing at a time, is an empowering step you can take towards feeling healthier and a lot better. Even the process of making these changes helps you feel like you’re gaining control.

I’ll cover this subject in more detail in a future post, but here are some tips to get you started:

·         

•   Omega-3 fatty acids (eg. flax oil and cold water fish) help reduce inflammation and encourage healing.   

•  Processed or hydrogenated fats (eg. some margarines and many processed foods) increase inflammation and can cause disease. 

•  Certain food supplements can actually help to regenerate cartilage in joints. 

Exercise

Movement is essential for health, and it doesn't even have to be that vigorous.

Whatever your level of ability, there is somewhere you can start; later on I'll give you some ideas for how you can enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.

The trick is to make it enjoyable and regular. A part of your life you feel good about doing, and maybe even look forward to! Here are some of the benefits you can expect:·       

• Stronger muscles which protect your joints more.

•  Better circulation and more energy for life.

•  More freedom of motion, as your body is reminded of what it can do. 
  

  

Natural Remedies

Certain food supplements and remedies can be effective in reducing pain and inflammation. Turmeric (the spice) and pagocid (a root extract) have both been shown to help with arthritic conditions. Ever heard of MSM (methyl sulphonyl methane)? It's an organic sulphur compound used for controlling pain and helping tissue healing.

Substances like these can take a little while to have a beneficial effect, but can often be taken long term with few or no side effects. But remember, just because something is “natural” still means there is an ideal dosage for it, and it may not be suitable for everybody. Asking your GP or nutritionist about any of these is advisable.

Social Network

Having people to talk to and share things with, interesting things to do, and a curiosity about the world, keeps us young. I’ll be recommending some ways do all of those.

The way to deal with arthritis and live a life you enjoy is the same as doing anything which is worth the effort - one step at a time!